Clinical outcomes were assessed using numeric rating scale for back and radiating leg pain (NRS back and leg), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria at 1 month (short-term follow-up) and at least 12 months (long-term follow-up) after PELD.
Thirteen FCs were decompressed (no adverse events) NRSleg pain and ODI improved from 6.85 ± 0.69 and 65.08 ± 7.95 preoperatively to 1 ± 0.91 and 13.46 ± 5.19 at 1-yr follow-up, respectively.
Similar results could be observed for the long-term follow-up subgroup (50%, <i>n</i> = 33) with significantly less back pain (NRS 3.94 versus 7.0; <i>p</i> < 0.0001) and leg pain (visual analog scale 3.14 versus 5.39; <i>p</i> < 0.002) postoperatively.
Outcomes measured included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), NRS scales for back and leg pain (NRS-B/NRS-L), CSORN questions pertaining to patient satisfaction with surgery and whether or not the surgery met expectations.