[Medical Q&A] What diseases can percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy be used to treat?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Shao Zengwu, Chief Physician and Professor of Union Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Percutaneous spinal endoscopy is a surgical method that uses a minimally invasive small incision, percutaneous puncture, and then inserts an endoscope into the spine to treat the lesion. It was first used to treat lumbar disc herniation, and later also used for the surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, cervical thoracic disc herniation and spinal stenosis. Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is commonly known as transforaminal endoscopic surgery in China and is currently a widely used minimally invasive surgical method.

Indications for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: ① lumbar disc herniation; ② lumbar spinal stenosis; ③ lesion removal and catheter drainage of some lumbar infected lesions; ④ resection of some benign lesions in the epidural spinal canal or intervertebral foramen area.

Contraindications for percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy: ① spinal instability; ② malignant tumors; ③ poor antibiotic control and spinal infection with the possibility of intraspinal spread; ④ coagulation dysfunction.