Table 3

Postoperative patient-reported outcome measures for FELD and Swespine controls.

Patient-Reported Outcome MeasureFELD Group
(n = 80)
Control Group
(n = 400)
P ValueDifference Between Groups,
Mean (95% CI)
NRSLeg (1 y) n = 67 n = 223
 Mean (SD) (range)2.69 (2.68) (2.03; 3.34)1.97 (2.49) (1.64; 2.30)0.0650.718 (−0.040; 1.429)
NRSLeg decrease n = 43 n = 219
 Mean (SD) (range)−4.35 (2.93) (−5.25; −3.45)−4.99 (3.12) (−5.40; −4.57)0.240.637 (−0.421; 1.657)
NRSLeg % change n = 43 n = 219
 Mean (SD) (range)−60.2 (36.7) (−71.4; −48.9)−65.3 (65.0) (−73.9; −56.6)0.575.13 (−18.07; 22.31)
NRSBack(1 y) n = 62 n = 224
 Mean (SD) (range)2.56 (2.38) (1.96; 3.17)2.34 (2.46) (2.02; 2.67)0.540.221 (−0.444; 0.891)
NRSBack decrease n = 36 n = 200
 Mean (SD) (range)−2.72 (2.59) (−3.60; −1.85)−2.47 (3.05) (−2.89; −2.04)0.66−0.257 (−1.310; 0.848)
NRSBack % change n = 36 n = 200
 Mean (SD) (range)−46.5 (47.8) (−62.7; −30.3)−32.1 (108.1) (−47.1; −17.0)0.47−14.4 (−57.0; 14.6)
ODI (1 y) n = 64 n = 225
 Mean (SD) (range)17.3 (16.7) (13.2; 21.5)15.6 (14.7) (13.7; 17.6)0.461.67 (−2.79; 5.89)
1-y ODI decrease n = 41 n = 223
 Mean (SD) (range)−28.4 (19.2) (−34.5; −22.3)−28.7 (18.9) (−31.2; −26.2)0.920.336 (−5.833; 6.645)
ODI % change n = 41 n = 223
 Mean (SD) (range)−61.7 (38.6) (−73.9; −49.5)−62.9 (35.1) (−67.6; −58.3)0.841.22 (−11.43; 13.17)
EQ-VAS (1 y) n = 64 n = 218
 Mean (SD) (range)72.1 (19.1) (67.3; 76.8)76.4 (16.9) (74.2; 78.7)0.095−4.35 (−9.14; 0.65)
EQ-VAS increase n = 42 n = 208
 Mean (SD) (range)28.1 (21.5) (21.4; 34.8)27.1 (25.2) (23.6; 30.5)0.801.03 (−6.71; 9.38)
EQ-VAS % change n = 42 n = 205
 Mean (SD) (range)98.3 (121.3) (60.5; 136.1)98.6 (160.9) (76.4; 120.7)0.96−0.284 (−56.365; 43.688)
GALeg
 GALeg 1–2a 42 (71.2%)183 (81.3%)−10.1 (−23.8; 3.6)
 GALeg 3–5b 17 (28.8%)42 (18.7%)0.1310.1 (−3.6; 23.8)
GABack
 GABack 1–2a 44 (80.0%)154 (76.6%)3.4 (−9.9; 16.6)
 GABack 3–5b 11 (20.0%)47 (23.4%)0.74−3.4 (−16.6; 9.9)
  • Abbreviations: FELD, full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy; GA, global assessment; NRS, Numerical Rating Scale; ODI, Oswestry Disability Index.

  • GA was measured using a 5-level Likert-scale patient recall question.

  • a GA values 1–2 = pain free and much better.

  • b GA values 3–5 = better, somewhat better, and worse.