153 patients with lumbar disc herniation were randomized to surgery through either percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy or microendoscopic discectomy. Patients were assessed for outcomes related to disability, back pain, leg pain, quality of life, the incidence of complications, and the incidence of reoperation between 1 week and 1-year follow-up. Additionally, perioperative outcomes (operative time, length of stay, etc.) and costs were documented. Results demonstrated no significant differences between groups in any of the postoperative outcome measures. Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the PTED group, but the surgical cost and total hospital cost was significantly greater in the PTED group.