Analysis of the Causes and Treatment of Surgical Site Infection in UBE for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Degenerative lumbar spine pathologies are a major cause of chronic low back pain and radiculopathy. In recent years, unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technology has been applied more in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, there are few studies on UBE postoperative infection. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient information from our medical center to summarize the diagnosis and treatment of surgical site infections following UBE. Data of patients who underwent UBE for lumbar disc herniation between October 2020 and October 2024 were reviewed, and basic patient information and potential risk factors for infection were statistically analyzed using Fisher exact test. Four hundred thirty-six patients were reviewed. Postoperative infections occurred in 3 patients. A statistically significant association was observed between diabetes mellitus and infection development (P < 0.05). All the patients had a good prognosis following treatment. Diabetes mellitus is a notable risk factor for postoperative infections after UBE. Early diagnosis, targeted antibiotic therapy, and timely surgical intervention using appropriate techniques are essential for achieving optimal treatment outcomes.