Abstract: Background: Microscopic lumbar discectomy has become the "gold standard" treatment for disc prolapse with early recovery of patients and quick return to work. Potential benefits include smaller incisions of the skin and fascia, less traumatic surgical procedure, reduced postoperative pain and hospital stay. We have evaluated the efficacy of microscopic lumber discectomy.
Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics in Karpaga Vinayaga Institute of Medical Sciences, Maduranthakam over a 2-year period from 2017 to 2019 on a convenience sample from patients undergoing micro lumbar discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. Functional outcome was evaluated periodically over a 14-week period with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).
Results: A total of 30 subjects with a mean age of 41.73 years with a mean duration of low back pain of 10.13 months undergoing microscopic lumbar discectomy for lumbar disc prolapse were included in the study. On MRI Finding, 60.00% are noted to have extrusion, 33.33% protrusion and 6.67% sequestration. The mean duration of surgery is 1.28 hours, the mean blood loss is 153.33 mL, the mean duration of hospital stay is 3.17 days. The mean ODI has reduced from preoperative 73.67 ± 7.54 to 16 ± 3.28 at 14-week follow-up, which is statistically significant (P Value <0.001).
Conclusion: The current study concludes that microscopic lumbar discectomy for herniated lumbar disc is indeed "gold standard" with minimal blood loss and less hospital stay with a good functional outcome, leading to early return to work.
