The researchers examined 57 patients randomly allocated to have PLDD and 58 patients who had conventional surgery. The researchers found:
1. The primary outcome on the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire was not inferior for PLDD at eight weeks and 52 weeks after surgery.
2. There was a faster recover among patients who underwent the conventional surgical procedures.
3. Performing PLDD made a significant impact on whether patients needed reoperations. The reoperation rate was:
• PLDD group: 38 percent
• Conventional surgery: 16 percent
4. One year after surgery, the PLDD strategy with delayed surgery if needed was associated with non-inferior outcomes to conventional procedures.
5. PLDD is used for disc herniation since gaining FDA approval in 1991.
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