title: Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy in Parkinson Disease: Preliminary Results and Short Review of the Literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effectiveness of Transforaminal Percutaneous Endoscopic Discectomy (TPED) for lumbar disc herniation in patients with Parkinson disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients diagnosed with PD and lumbar disc hernia were recruited to the study. All patients underwent TPED. Mean age was 61.27±6 years, with 8 male (53.3%) and 7 female patients (46.7%). Level of operation was L3-4 (33.3%), L4-5 (33.3%) and L5-S1 (33.3%). Visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg pain and Oswestry Disabillity Index (ODI) for back pain, as well as the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) for health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed right before surgery and at 6 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VAS and ODI showed significant (p<0.005) reduction one year after TPED, with a percentage improvement of 83.9% and 79.4%, respectively. Similarly, all aspects of quality of life (SF-36) were significantly (p<0.005) improved 1 year after the procedure. Bodily pain and role physical demonstrated the highest increase followed by role emotional, physical function, social function, vitality, mental health, and general health. Beneficial impact of TPED on clinical outcome and HRQoL was independent of gender and operated level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TPED is effective in reducing lower limb symptoms and low back pain in patients with lumbar disc hernia, suffering from PD. Positive effect of endoscopy is, also, evident in HRQoL of those patients one year after the procedure.
authors: Spine Department and Deformities, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Stylianos
authors: S
authors: Kapetanakis
authors: Spine Department and Deformities, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Eirini
authors: E
authors: Giovannopoulou
authors: Spine Department and Deformities, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: Triphonas
authors: T
authors: Thomaidis
authors: Spine Department and Deformities, Interbalkan European Medical Center, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Charitoudis
authors: Laboratory of Forensic Sciences, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Pavlos
authors: P
authors: Pavlidis
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors: Konstantinos
authors: K
authors: Kazakos
keywords: Endoscopy; Parkinson disease; Percutaneous discectomy; Quality of life