Clinical Outcomes of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy in Lumbar Disc Herniation and Degenerative Lumbar Canal Stenosis

Objectives This study aimed to assess the clinical outcomes in patients operated with UBE for lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and degenerative lumbar canal stenosis (DLCS) at our center. Material and Methods The subjects consisted of 50 patients aged 40-70 years who underwent UBE for LDH and DLCS. They were analyzed retrospectively. Outcomes of the patients were assessed with respect to operation time, hospital stay, complications, visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results The average operative time for the procedure was 70-90 minutes. The average hospital stay was two days. The VAS score for back pain, leg pain, and ODI scores had significantly reduced at the six-month follow-up. In patients with DLCS, all could walk comfortably to over two kilometers at the six-month follow-up. Recurrence of symptoms was seen in one patient with LDH. However, no intra-operative or post-operative complication was noted. No surgical site infection was encountered. Conclusion UBE for the treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases is a safe, effective, and ergonomically comfortable surgical technique under a clear and wide endoscopic view. Segmental stability could be preserved since it allows over-the-top decompression easily without the removal of the spinous process & spinous ligaments. However, large-scale comparative studies will be needed to assess the differences in clinical outcomes and infection rates with other procedures.