Abstract:Objective: To explore the impact of preoperative selective nerve root block (SNRB) on the therapeutic effect of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD). Method: A total of 77 patients with single-segment lumbar disc herniation (LDH) accompanied by radicular pain in the Department of Painology,General Hospital of Eastern Theater Command from May 2023 to July 2024 were selected and randomly divided into Group P (n=38) and Group S (n=39) by random number method. Group P underwent PELD only, while Group S received SNRB treatment one day before PELD. The VAS scores before and 3 days after surgery, as well as the VAS scores, JOA scores, ODI index, SF-36 scores, postoperative complications, and recurrence rate 3 months after surgery were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with the preoperative status, the VAS scores and ODI index of both groups significantly decreased at each postoperative time point, and the JOA scores and SF-36 scores significantly increased. Compared with Group P, the VAS score at 3 days after surgery, as well as the VAS score, JOA score, ODI index, SF-36 score, the incidence of postoperative residual low back pain (PRLBP) and recurrent pain 3 months after surgery in Group S showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the overall excellent rate between the two groups. Conclusion: The combination of SNRB before PELD for single-segment LDH leads to significant short-term pain relief after surgery, a lower incidence of residual low back pain and recurrent pain within 3 months, and more obvious improvement in lumbar function recovery and quality of life.