Objective
This study aimed to compare the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic decompression (UBE) and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) in reducing muscle injury by measuring serum levels of creatine phosphokinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).
Materials and Methods
Thirty patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis or a herniated lumbar disc underwent decompression surgery. Among them, 12 patients underwent UBE (experimental group, n=12) and 18 underwent PELD (control group, n=18). CK and LDH were determined at admission and 1, 3, and 5 days after surgery. Pain was measured with a visual analogue scale (VAS).
Results
The mean age was significantly higher in the UBE group than the PELD group (63.33±13.50 vs. 49.94±14.79, p<0.035). Mean CK levels were not significantly different at admission. However, at both 3 and 5 days after surgery, CK levels were higher in the UBE group (308.44±153.93 vs. 70.43±40.15, p=0.002; 157.11±91.41 vs. 47.62±23.13, p=0.007). The mean LDH level was higher in the PELD group at 1 day after surgery (152.55±34.69 vs. 199.87±53.78, p=0.027). The operation time was significantly shorter in the PELD group (90.67±39.59 vs. 49.43±14.11, p=0.003).
Conclusions
The UBE group had higher CK levels at 3 and 5 days after surgery. The PELD group had a higher LDH level at 1 day after surgery. Therefore, neither procedure is clearly superior in terms of muscle damage.