Clinical outcomes of unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy vs. microdiscectomy in lumbar disc herniation

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1758130...

Published: 2026-02-10T00:00:00Z

The study compared unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBE, EG group, 38 patients) with microscopic discectomy (MSLD, MG group, 42 patients) in 80 patients with lumbar disc herniation in 2021–2023. The EG group had a shorter operative time, shorter hospitalization and less blood loss (p=0.03; p=0.02). Pain scores (VAS), functional status (ODI, JOA) improved in both groups, but EG showed greater early improvements at 3 days, 3 and 6 months (p=0.04; p=0.01; p=0.02). After 6 months, EG better preserved the height of the intervertebral space (p=0.04). There were no differences in overall clinical efficacy or complication rate (p>0.05). Both methods are effective in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. The retrospective design requires confirmation in prospective studies.