Objective  To observe clinical effect of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) in treating patients with prolapsed lumbar disc herniation (LDH), and to explore influencing factors of prognosis.

  Methods  The clinical data of 66 cases diagnosed as prolapsed LDH was retrospectively analyzed, and all of the patients underwent lumbar flexion-extension radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. The preoperative and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) score and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score for lumber pain were recorded, the conditions of symptom relief, recurrence and other complications were recorded.

  Results  After surgery, VAS score was significantly lower than that before surgery, and KPS and JOA score were significantly higher than those before surgery(P < 0.05). Occurrence of postoperative complications was correlated with the degree of disc herniation (P < 0.05). Patients with prolapsed LDH were more likely to relapse after surgery (P < 0.05).

  Conclusion  PTED has shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications, so it is a safe and effective surgical option in treating prolapsed LDH. Patients with severe LDH should pay more attention to the prevention of postoperative complications, and indications of patients with prolapsed LDH should be paid more attention when choosing PTED treatment.