Introduction: Low back pain, affecting nearly 80% of adults at some point, poses significant challenges and limitations, particularly in the younger population. Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common cause, prompting surgical interventions like discectomy. However, the optimal surgical approach remains unclear. This study compares the outcomes of fenestration versus laminectomy discectomy in LDH patients.
Material and Methods: This prospective observational study conducted at a Tertiary Care Centre inclusive of 100 patients with persistent radiculopathy and positive tension signs. Patients underwent either fenestration or laminectomy discectomy. Surgical procedures were performed according to standard protocols. Outcome measures included the Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI) questionnaire and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) questionnaire. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare outcomes between the two surgical approaches.
Result: Of the 100 patients, 38% underwent fenestration discectomy and 62% underwent laminectomy discectomy. Both procedures resulted in significant improvements in COMI and ODI scores postoperatively. There were no significant differences in outcomes between fenestration and laminectomy discectomy. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between postoperative COMI and ODI scores for both procedures. However, the study had limitations such as a relatively small sample size and lack of blinding.
Conclusion: Both fenestration and laminectomy discectomy showed significant improvements in outcomes for LDH patients, with no significant difference between the two approaches. These findings underscore the effectiveness of both surgical techniques in treating LDH. However, larger studies with longer follow-up periods are warranted to further validate these results and address existing limitations.