Minimally Invasive (Non Microscopically) Fenestration Lumbar Discectomy; Clinical Outcomes with a Minimum of Three Years Follow-up

Background: Different surgical techniques for lumbar discectomy are in vogue. This study to investigate the outcome for minimally invasive (nonmicroscopically) fenestration lumbar discectomy. Patients and Methods: Seventy two patients who had single-level virgin lumbar disc herniation with unilateral radicular symptoms were included had undergone minimally invasive (nonmicroscopically) fenestration lumbar discectomy between October 2007 to September 2010. Outcome were evaluated using the Mac Nab`s criteria and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the improvement was measured using paired t-test. Results: At final follow-up, patients were rated as excellent (n=42), good (n=18), and fair (n=12) using the Mac Nab`s criteria and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The preoperative mean±SD VAS score was 10.02±0.78 which improved to 1.76 ±0.78 postoperatively. These were statistically significant (p-value 0.001, paired t-test). Conclusion: Minimally invasive (non microscopically) fenestration for the lumbar discectomy is an efficacious procedure provided early post operative mobilization, lesser morbidity and early return to job and this procedure can be well performed by surgeon with adequate experience in the field of disc surgery.