Benefits and risks

Information for the public

When NICE looked at the evidence, it decided that there was enough evidence to know how well this procedure works and how safe it is. The 9 studies that NICE looked at involved a total of 10,256 patients.

Generally, they showed the following benefits:

reduced back and leg pain
most patients were better able to carry out everyday tasks
most patients returned to work after the procedure
most patients were satisfied with their treatment
improved quality of life in many patients.

Some people needed another operation, for example because fragments of disc remained. Slipped disc happened again in about 6% of people.

The studies showed that the complications reported with percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy were mostly a temporary lack of sensation or abnormal sensation. Other risks were reported in a smaller number of people (around 1%) and included:

cyst‑like lesions at the operation site; some needed surgery to remove them
bleeding into the tissues
tears in the tissue surrounding the spinal cord
inflammation of the spine, with or without soft tissue infection
a fragment breaking away from the disc in 1 patient
temporary problems with the nerves in the foot in 4 patients, including foot drop in 1 patient.

NICE was also told about some other possible risks: pain in the hip or back during the procedure.

If you want to know more about the studies, see the guidance. Ask your health professional to explain anything you don't understand.