title: Microendoscopic discectomy for prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lumbar disc prolapse is a common problem and the current surgical standard for its treatment is a microsurgical discectomy. Microendoscopic discectomy (MED) is a minimally invasive spinal procedure being done successfully for prolapsed intervertebral disc disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We report the technique, outcome and complications seen in 107 cases of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc who underwent MED.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out at the Department of Neurosurgery, at a tertiary hospital in South India and the data was collected prospectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  107 patients with prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc who were seen at our institution between November 2002 and January 2006 were included in the study. Data was collected prospectively. The METRx system (Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis,TN) was used to perform MED. Outcome assessment was done by the modified Macnab criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  107 patients (67 males, 40 females) underwent MED for prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc. Follow up ranged from 2 to 40 months with a mean follow up 12.9 months. Seventy six patients had an excellent outcome, 22 patients had a good outcome, 5 patients had a fair outcome and 3 patients had a poor outcome. One patient with a long dural tear required conversion to a standard microdiscectomy and was excluded from outcome assessment. Complications included dural puncture with K-wire (1), dural tear (2), superficial wound infection (1), discitis (1) and recurrent disc prolapse (2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microendoscopic Discectomy (MED) is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India. dralokranjan@vsnl.net
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ranjan
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lath
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies