OUTCOMES OF UNILATERAL BIPORTAL ENDOSCOPIC LUMBAR DISCECTOMY FOR LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION AT CAN THO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL

Background: Lumbar disc herniation is a common condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life and work capabilities. Unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasive approach that effectively reduces pain and improves function after surgery. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of UBE lumbar discectomy in treating lumbar disc herniation. Materials and Methods: This study included 39 patients diagnosed with single-level lumbar disc herniation who underwent UBE lumbar discectomy at Can Tho University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital. Pain and functional outcomes were assessed pre- and post-operatively using VAS and MacNab scores. Results: The mean VAS score significantly decreased from 4.08 (back) and 7.72 (leg) preoperatively to 1.62 and 2.26 postoperatively. The average hospital stay after surgery was 3.28 days, indicating a quick recovery and return to normal activities. MacNab outcomes indicated that 97.43% of patients achieved "Excellent" or "Good" results. Complications were minimal, with only one case of a small dural tear (2.57%) that did not require repair and did not affect the patient's recovery outcome. Conclusions: UBE lumbar discectomy is an effective and safe method for treating lumbar disc herniation, providing substantial pain relief, functional improvement, shorter hospital stays, and a low complication rate.