title: Primary and revision lumbar discectomy: a three-year review from one center.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite variations in technique, the results of primary and revision lumbar discectomy have been good. The aim of this study was to retrospectively review cases of primary and revision lumbar discectomy performed in our institute over a three-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case records of 273 patients who underwent lumbar discectomy between January 2001-2004 and fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria were reviewed. Of these, 259 were primary discectomies and 14 were revision surgeries. Recurrence was defined as ipsilateral disc herniation at the previously operated level. Demographic parameters, magnetic resonance imaging of the disc, patient satisfaction and rate of recurrence were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary surgery group had 52 (20.08%) contained and 207 (79.92%) extruded or sequestered discs, while the numbers in the revision group were three (21.43%) and 11 (78.57%) respectively. "Satisfactory" outcome was noted in 96.5% of the primary surgeries, with a recurrence rate of 3.5%. In the revision group 78.6% had "satisfactory" outcome. In 9.4% of the primary group we encountered complications, while it was 21.43% in the revision group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lumbar discectomy is a safe, simple and effective procedure with satisfactory outcome in 96.5% of primary disc surgery and 78.6% of revision disc surgery.
authors.affiliation: Dwaraka Institute of Spine Care, BMA/Moka Road, Gandhinagar, Bellary - 583 103, Karnataka, India. knacharya@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Acharya
authors.forename: T S Senthil
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Nathan
authors.forename: J Renjit
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: K Venugopal
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Menon