Comparative study of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy and minimally invasive ozone therapy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar canal stenosis

Objective To compare the efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy with minimally invasive ozone therapy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar canal stenosis. Methods The clinical data of 90 patients with lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar canal stenosis from May 2015 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the method of operation, control group (45 patients received minimally invasive ozone therapy), and observation group (45 patients received percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy). The basic surgical conditions, visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and efficacy were compared between 2 groups. Results The operation time in observation group was significantly longer than that in control group: (81.93 ± 17.02) min vs. (42.41 ± 15.69) min, postoperative hospitalization time was significantly shorter than that in control group: (1.27 ± 1.05) d vs. (4.29 ± 2.03) d, and there were statistical differences (t = -9.571 and 3.742, P < 0.01). The VAS 1 week and 1 month after operation in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group: (4.29 ± 1.39) scores vs. (5.91 ± 1.51) scores and (2.53 ± 0.69) scores vs. (3.25 ± 0.94) scores, and there was statistical difference (P<0.01 or <0.05). The ODI and JOA score 3 months after operation in observation group were significantly better than those in control group: (13.24 ± 5.86) scores vs. (27.83 ± 8.91) scores and (24.24 ± 3.09) scores vs. (20.95 ± 6.25) scores, and there were statistical differences (P<0.01). The eligible rate in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group: 86.67% (39/45) vs. 68.89% (31/45), and there was statistical difference (χ2 = 4.114, P < 0.05). Conclusions Percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy compared with minimally invasive ozone therapy for lumbar disc herniation combined with lumbar canal stenosis is more effective, with shorter postoperative length of stay, more obvious pain relief and more quick lumbar function recovery after operation. Key words: Intervertebral disk displacement; Diskectomy; Ozone; Spinal stenosis; Retrospective studies