title: [Characteristics and outcome perspectives of lumbar nerve root decompression in elderly patients].
abstract: A series of 14 334 cases with lumbar nerve root compression demonstrated between 1993 and 1998 a growing number of operations in elderly patients. In order to assess the treatment results in this patient group the authors evaluated the retrospective multicenter data and performed a prospective clinical study up to 24 months postoperatively in 44 patients of a single institution. The group of patients older than 60 yrs. have been compared to another group being 30-50 yrs. old. Elderly patients showed a complete remission of palsies in 67% and of sensation disorders in 54% compared to 100% and 88% respectively in younger patients. 60% of the elderly and 54% of the younger patients suffered from pain, but less intensively than pre treatment. The postoperative complication rate in older individuals was higher with 25%. In both groups 90% felt that the result of the treatment was "very good" or "good".
authors.affiliation: Neurochirurgische Klinik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany. Messing-juenger@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Messing-Jünger
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schirmer
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Bock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D016896:Treatment Outcome