Clinical efficacy of Delta large-channel endoscopy versus percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treating far lateral lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study.
- 1Department of Orthopedics, Zhenjiang First People's Hospital, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract
Background
Far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH) accounts for 7%-12% of lumbar disc herniations, causing significant radicular pain, hypoesthesia, and muscle weakness. Due to its lateral location, traditional open surgery has limitations, including extensive tissue disruption and long recovery times. Minimally invasive techniques, such as The Delta large-channel endoscopy and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), have emerged as alternatives, but there is limited comparative evidence on their efficacy for FLLDH.Methods
This retrospective study included 78 patients with FLLDH, divided into two groups: 39 patients underwent the Delta large-channel endoscopy and 39 underwent PELD. The study compared both procedures in terms of operation time, blood loss, postoperative recovery, pain relief, functional improvement, and complications. All patients had failed conservative treatment and were diagnosed with FLLDH based on MRI and CT scans.Results
Both surgical methods significantly improved pain and function. The Delta large-channel endoscopy group had longer operation times and more blood loss, but fewer fluoroscopies. Postoperative pain and functional recovery, assessed using VAS and ODI scores, were similar across both groups. The excellent/good rate based on the MacNab criteria was 92.31% for the Delta large-channel endoscopy and 84.62% for PELD, with no significant differences.Conclusions
Both Delta large-channel endoscopy and PELD effectively relieved pain and improved function in FLLDH patients. The Delta large-channel endoscopy, though requiring longer operation times, showed advantages in early recovery and more thorough decompression for complex cases. The choice of technique should depend on lesion characteristics and surgeon expertise.
Related
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- Comparison Between Interlaminar and Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Sciatic Scoliosis Secondary to Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Study With a Minimum 1 Year Follow‐Up
- Biomechanical Comparison of Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy and Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy Using a Finite Element Model.
- A case report of pulmonary embolism following endoscopic cervical discectomy in an elderly patient with cervical disc herniation
BibTeX
@article{xu2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical efficacy of Delta large-channel endoscopy versus percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treating far lateral lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study.}},
author = {Yong Xu and Yilei Zhao and Qinyi Jiang and Kangjia Yang},
journal = {Frontiers in surgery},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fsurg.2026.1902290},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948141},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical efficacy of Delta large-channel endoscopy versus percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy in treating far lateral lumbar disc herniation: a retrospective study.
AU - Yong Xu
AU - Yilei Zhao
AU - Qinyi Jiang
AU - Kangjia Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - Frontiers in surgery
DO - 10.3389/fsurg.2026.1902290
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948141
AB - Background Far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH) accounts for 7%-12% of lumbar disc herniations, causing significant radicular pain, hypoesthesia, and muscle weakness. Due to its lateral location, traditional open surgery has limitations, including extensive tissue disruption and long recovery times. Minimally invasive techniques, such as The Delta large-channel endoscopy and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD), have emerged as alternatives, but there is limited comparative evidence on their efficacy for FLLDH.Methods This retrospective study included 78 patients with FLLDH, divided into two groups: 39 patients underwent the Delta large-channel endoscopy and 39 underwent PELD. The study compared both procedures in terms of operation time, blood loss, postoperative recovery, pain relief, functional improvement, and complications. All patients had failed conservative treatment and were diagnosed with FLLDH based on MRI and CT scans.Results Both surgical methods significantly improved pain and function. The Delta large-channel endoscopy group had longer operation times and more blood loss, but fewer fluoroscopies. Postoperative pain and functional recovery, assessed using VAS and ODI scores, were similar across both groups. The excellent/good rate based on the MacNab criteria was 92.31% for the Delta large-channel endoscopy and 84.62% for PELD, with no significant differences.Conclusions Both Delta large-channel endoscopy and PELD effectively relieved pain and improved function in FLLDH patients. The Delta large-channel endoscopy, though requiring longer operation times, showed advantages in early recovery and more thorough decompression for complex cases. The choice of technique should depend on lesion characteristics and surgeon expertise.
SN - 2296-875X
ER -