OUTCOMES OF MINIMALLY INVASIVE VS OPEN SPINE SURGERY IN DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Keywords:
Minimally invasive spine surgery; open spine surgery; degenerative disc disease; lumbar disc herniation; recovery time; complications; patient satisfaction; Peshawar; Pakistan.Abstract
Background: Degenerative disc disease is a common cause of chronic back pain, leg pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. Open spine surgery has remained a standard treatment for many years, but minimally invasive techniques are now being used more often because they may reduce tissue injury and improve early recovery.
Objective: To compare recovery time, complications, and long-term outcomes. The study evaluates cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction. It aims to guide surgical decision-making.
Methods: This comparative cohort study included adult patients who underwent surgery for degenerative disc disease after failure of conservative treatment. Patients were divided into two groups according to surgical approach: minimally invasive spine surgery and open spine surgery. Baseline data, operative findings, hospital stay, postoperative recovery, complications, pain score, disability score, treatment cost, and satisfaction level were recorded. Pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale, while functional disability was assessed by Oswestry Disability Index. Patients were followed after surgery to assess early and mid-term outcomes.
Results: Both surgical groups showed clear improvement in pain and function after treatment. The minimally invasive group had shorter hospital stay, lower blood loss, earlier walking, and faster return to routine activity compared with the open surgery group. Postoperative pain and disability scores were also better in the minimally invasive group at follow-up. Complications were fewer after minimally invasive surgery, mainly due to fewer wound-related problems. Patient satisfaction was higher in the minimally invasive group, while open surgery remained useful in more complex cases requiring wider exposure.
Conclusion: Minimally invasive spine surgery provided better early recovery, fewer complications, and higher patient satisfaction in selected patients with degenerative disc disease. Open spine surgery still has an important role in complex disease. Surgical choice should be individualized according to disease severity, imaging findings, surgeon experience, patient affordability, and available hospital resources.
