[High level of satisfaction among patients despite persistent symptoms in the mid-long-term following surgery for lumbosacral radicular syndrome].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the mid-long-term outcomes after surgery in patients with lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LRS) and to identify prognostic factors for persisting LRS symptoms.


METHODS
Descriptive retrospective and prospective.


METHODS
A total of 250 consecutive patients operated on by 7 neurosurgeons in four hospitals between May and December 2001 were selected from medical records. They were asked to take part in a telephone questionnaire at 6 and 19 months after operation. They had all undergone discectomy for LRS at L4-L5 or L5-S1 and were aged from 18 to 65.


RESULTS
Of the 250 patients, 163 participated in the study: 63% reported that they still had LRS-related symptoms 19 months after surgery. However, severe leg pain had decreased in 83% of the patients. In general the patients were satisfied with their treatment. Female gender and an age of 51-65 were prognostic factors for persistent LRS symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
More than half of the patients reported LRS symptoms 19 months after surgery.
Luijsterburg
P A J
PA
Afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Erasmus MC, Postbus 1738, 3000 DR Rotterdam. p.luijsterburg@erasmusmc.nl
Schreuder
H K
HK
Verhagen
A P
AP
Avezaat
C J J
CJ
Koes
B W
BW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome