J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2000 Jun;7(2):228-233.

Comparison of the Results between Standard Discectomy and Microdiscectomy of the Herniated Lumbar Disc

• Kang YH
• Lee WS
• Yune SH

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: This study is a prospective evaluation of the results of the standard discectomy and microdiscectomy of the herniated lumbar disc.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical results between the standard discectomy and microdiscectomy groups in the herniated lumbar disc. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Many spine surgeons believe that everything that can be accomplished through the standard discectomy can be accomplished more easily with the assistance of the microscope. So the standard laminectomy and discectomy is gradually being replaced by the microdiscectomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and seventy-three patients with lumbar disc herniations were evaluated. Ninty-six patients were operated through the standard method and seventy-seven patients were operated with the aim of the microscope. These operations were taken by one surgeon and the clinical results were undertaken by a doctor who was not involved in the operation using a proven outcome assessment scale.
RESULTS
There were significant differences between the standard discectomy and the microdiscectomy groups in terms of complications and revision rates. In microdiscectomy group, clinical result was less favorable than standard discectomy group.
CONCLUSION
In microdiscectomy groups the incidence of infection and rate of revision operation were higher than in standard discectomy groups. The standard discectomy is still thought better than the microdiscectomy in the operative treatment of herniated lumbar disc.

Keyword

Lumbar spine; Herniated disc; Standard discectomy; Microdiscectomy

MeSH Terms

Diskectomy*
Humans
Incidence
Intervertebral Disc Displacement
Laminectomy
Prospective Studies
Spine