Anterior lumbar microdiscectomy and interbody fusion for the treatment of recurrent disc herniation.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate the feasibility of anterior lumbar microdiscectomy in patients with recurrent, sequestered lumbar disc herniations.


METHODS
Between 1997 and 1999, six patients underwent a muscle-sparing "minilaparotomy" approach and subsequent microscopic anterior lumbar microdiscectomy and fragmentectomy for recurrent lumbar disc extrusions at L5-S1 (n = 4) or L4-L5 (n = 2). A contralateral distraction plug permitted ipsilateral discectomy under microscopic magnification. Effective resection of the extruded disc fragments was accomplished by opening the posterior longitudinal ligament. Interbody fusion was performed by placing cylindrical threaded titanium cages (n = 4) or threaded allograft bone dowels (n = 2).


RESULTS
There were no complications, and blood loss was minimal. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed complete resection of all herniated disc material. Plain x-rays revealed excellent interbody cage position. Radicular pain and neurological deficits resolved in all six patients (mean follow-up, 14 mo).


CONCLUSIONS
Anterior lumbar microdiscectomy with interbody fusion provides a viable alternative for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniations. Recurrent herniated disc fragments can be removed completely under direct microscopic visualization, and interbody fusion can be performed in the same setting.
Vishteh
A G
AG
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013-4496, USA.
Dickman
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome