Comparison Of K-rod Non-fusion Operation And Microendoscopic Discectomy For The Treatment Of Single Segment Lumbar Disc Herniation

Study Design:retrospective cohort study Purpose:To compare the clinical outcome of K-rod non-fusion operation and microendoscopic discectomy(MED)for the treatment of single segment lumbar disc herniation.Methods:This retrospective study included 34 patients with L4-L5 single segment lumbar disc herniation,who underwent K-rod non-fusion operation(n=18)or microendoscopic discectomy(n=16)between December 2010 and July 2013.The pain was evaluated by the Oswestry disability index(ODI)and visual analogue scale(VAS).The neurological function was assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association(JOA)Scores.The height of intervertebral space was calculated on X-ray images,and the disc degeneration was evaluated based on Pfirrmann scores.The mean follow-up time was 31 months(range,18-46 months)Results:In both groups,the ODI scores,VAS scores,and JOA scores were significantly improved at the last follow-up compared with the preoperative values(p<0.05).There was no significantly difference in the improvement of ODI scores,VAS scores,and JOA scores between the two groups(P>0.05).The height of intervertebral space in the surgical segments was significantly greater in the K-rod group than in the MED group.The disc degeneration occurred more in the MED group than in the KOD group(p<0.05).Conclusion:K-rod non-fusion operation and MED produced satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of single segment lumbar disc herniation.K-rod internal fixation is superior to MED in preventing adjacent segment degeneration.