Endoscopic Versus Open Lumbar Discectomy in Diabetic Patients

Launched by AL-AZHAR UNIVERSITY · Jul 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is comparing two types of surgery to treat a slipped or herniated disc in the lower back for people who have diabetes. The two surgeries being looked at are endoscopic lumbar discectomy, which uses a small camera and tiny instruments through small cuts, and open lumbar discectomy, which involves a larger incision to remove the damaged disc material. The goal is to see which surgery works better for relieving pain and improving movement in diabetic patients.

To take part, you need to be between 18 and 75 years old, have a herniated disc affecting a single level in the lower spine (specifically at L4-5 or L5-S1), and have ongoing low back pain with nerve pain on one side that hasn’t improved after 12 weeks of other treatments like rest or physical therapy. People with more complicated spine problems, previous surgery in the same area, or certain types of disc herniations won’t be able to join. If you participate, you can expect to undergo one of the two surgeries and be followed to see how well it helps with your symptoms. This study has not started enrolling patients yet.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age from 18 to 75 years.
• • Both sexes.
• • Patients suffering from prolapsed lumbar disc postero-lateral, single level disc herniation at L4-5 or L5-S1 level with low back pain and unilateral radiculopathy and failure of conservative treatment for 12 weeks
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Extraforaminal disc herniation.
• • Recurrent and/or multiple level discs prolapses.
• • Spondylolisthesis.
• • Prior lumbar surgery at the same spinal level.