Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between serum inflammatory indicators and short-term prognosis in patients with single-segment lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LDH) treated by transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (TELD).Methods From January 2015 to June 2022,137 patients with single-segment LDH received TELD treatment.The levels of serum inflammatory factors such as C-reactive protein (CRP),white blood cell count (WBC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR),and procalcitonin (PCT) of the patients before the operation and 3 days after the operation,as well as surgical data such as anesthesia methods,operation time,and blood loss were collected.The time for patients to resume work was collected,and the pain relief and functional recovery of the patients were evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).Pearson or Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations between demographic characteristics,inflammatory indicators,surgical data and short-term prognosis.Results The average time for patients to return to work was (3.55±2.13) months.There were statistically significant differences in the pain and functional scores at each time point compared with those at the previous time point (P<0.05).The CRP,WBC and PCT of the patients after the operation were significantly increased compared with those before the operation,and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).The levels of CRP and PCT in patients 3 days after surgery were significantly positively correlated with VAS 6 months after surgery.The duration of symptoms and the CRP level 3 days after surgery were significantly positively correlated with ODI 6 months after surgery.BMI was significantly positively correlated with the time to return to work (P<0.05).Conclusion There is a certain correlation between the levels of serum inflammatory indicators in patients with single-segment LDH treated with TELD and the short-term prognosis.The increase of CRP and PCT 3 days after the operation may affect the rehabilitation process of the patients.

Key words: lumbar disc herniation, percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic technique, inflammatory markers, short-term prognosis