Comparison of short-term clinical outcomes and muscle injury in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis undergoing arthroscopic-assisted uni-portal spinal surgery, unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery, and percutaneous interlaminar lumbar discectomy:

Arthroscopic-assisted Uni-portal Spinal Surgery (AUSS), unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique, and percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) are all effective minimally invasive approaches for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). AUSS offers shorter operative time and better preservation of anatomical structures. PEID minimizes intraoperative tissue damage and reduces inflammatory response, while UBE balances visualization with operational flexibility. All three techniques demonstrate good short-term clinical outcomes. The surgical approach should be tailored to each patient's symptoms and individualized needs. Although AUSS demonstrated certain intraoperative advantages, this study did not show that AUSS is superior to UBE or PEID in clinical efficacy or complication control. As a novel technique, AUSS may improve postoperative pain and quality of life, providing a valuable addition to the minimally invasive treatment options for lumbar spinal stenosis.