title: Full-Endoscopic Technique Discectomy Versus Microendoscopic Discectomy for the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Full-endoscopic technique discectomy (FED) or microendoscopic discectomy (MED) are 2 widely used minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, there is insufficient literature regarding the differences between these 2 surgical procedures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical outcomes of 2 different minimally invasive methods--full-endoscopic technique discectomy and microendoscopic discectomy--in the surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Inpatient surgery center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data form 65 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with one of 2 minimally invasive procedures were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to surgical method: the FED group (n = 35) and the MED group (n = 30). Surgery time, time kept in bed after surgery, duration of postoperative hospital stay, visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10), and Oswestry Disability index (ODI; 0-100%) were assessed and compared between the 2 groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the preoperative data between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). VAS and ODI scores improved significantly postoperatively in both groups (P < 0.05). Surgery time was longer in the FED group than in the MED group (P < 0.05). However, the FED group was superior to the MED group, with less time in bed, shorter hospital stay, and lower VAS scores one day postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS or ODI scores at one, 3, and 12 months after surgery between the 2 groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is a retrospective study with a relatively short follow-up period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the clinical outcomes of the 2 surgical techniques were similar, the FED had the advantages of quicker postoperative recovery and more immediate effect.
authors.forename: Mao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University Suzhou, Jiangsu Province China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, China.
authors.forename: Huilin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome