title: [Analysis of the lumbar discectomy complications].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the complications in a series of patients operated on for lumbar disc herniations between 1997 and 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of 64 patients with the diagnosis of lumbar radicular compression by disc herniation who underwent 73 surgical procedures were analyzed. The patients with radicular pain without disc herniation were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complications occurring in 7 cases (9.6 %) were 2 deep infections, 1 dural tear which was repaired, 2 cerebrospinal fluid fistulae, 1 pseudomeningocele and 1 lesion of L5 root.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  - The most frequent complications were dural tear and infection. These observations are similar to those reported in previously published papers.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Neurocirugía. Hospital de Clínicas Dr. Manuel Quintela. Universidad de la República Oriental del Uruguay.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hernandez-Perez
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prinzo-Yamurri
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome