George Rappard, MD, director of the Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, unveiled his study on endoscopic lumbar discectomy for herniated disc treatment.
The study involved 108 patients who were all discharged home on the day of surgery. Dr. Rappard conducted follow-ups 11 months post-surgery. Successful surgeries involved meaningful levels of pain relief or diminished disability.
Here are seven insights:
1. Ninety percent of the cases resulted in long-term success.
2. In successful cases, patients' back pain decreased by 61 percent.
3. Patients' sciatica decreased by 60 percent.
4. The study found disability fell by 50 percent.
5. In two cases, Dr. Rappard reported worsening neurological symptoms or nerve injury. Additionally, one case involved a post-surgical infection.
6. Two of the patients experienced a re-herniation following their initial surgery.
7. Dr. Rappard concluded endoscopic discectomy is as safe as traditional surgery and presents a reduced risk of a second herniation following surgery.
"The study involves a large number of patients and they have been followed over a long period of time. Based on the results we can confidently say that endoscopic surgery is as safe and effective as traditional spine surgery, but with a much more rapid recovery," said Dr. Rappard.