A study published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques examines the surgical strategy and outcomes for percutaneous endoscopic discectomy for recurrent disc herniation.
The researchers examined 26 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous endoscopic discectomy for recurrent herniated intervertebral disc disease. The patients previously had undergone open discectomy, transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic discectomy or the interlaminar approach to percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.
Here are five findings:
1. The recurrent disc material was successfully removed in all patients.
2. There were no patients who required a conversion to the open surgical approach after beginning the endoscopic surgery.
3. Postoperative MRI showed the ruptured disc was removed successfully in all cases.
4. There were 21 of the 26 patients who reported a favorable outcome by the MacNab's criteria.
5. There was re-recurrence in two patients at six and 12 months postoperatively.
"The relevant utilization of updated surgical techniques may be helpful in overcoming the difficulty of revision surgery," concluded the study authors.