[Long-term follow-up after surgery for lumbar disk herniation].
BACKGROUND
We wanted to evaluate long-term outcome after operation for lumbar disc herniation at a department of neurosurgery which train spinal surgeons. Both conventional and microsurgical technique were used during this period.


METHODS
Data were collected retrospectively from patient files. During 1988-89, 211 patients with lumbar disc herniation and unilateral sciatica were operated by microsurgical (n = 122) or by conventional technique (n = 89). In 1997, patients completed standardized questionnaires that included questions about pain and functional status (outcome score 0-100) and reoperations.


RESULTS
163 patients answered the questionnaire (77%). 39 patients (24%) had been reoperated. Median outcome score was 10.5 (range 0-81) in patients not reoperated, a score significantly better than the score of reoperated patients (45.0, range 0-94). There was no significant difference between patients operated by microsurgical and conventional technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of reoperations was high. Outcome was satisfactory seven to nine years after surgery for lumbar disc herniation in patients not reoperated, but poor in reoperated patients. The retrospective design of our study does not allow any conclusion on whether conventional or microsurgical technique gives the best result.
Vik
A
A
Nevrokirurgisk avdeling, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim 7005 Trondheim. anne.vik@medisin.ntnu.no
Hulleberg
G
G
Zwart
J A
JA
Nygaard
O P
OP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome