Long-term outcome of lumbar disc surgery: an experience from Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
The author conducted a study to determine the long-term outcome of lumbar disc surgery on relief of sciatic leg pain.


METHODS
This was a retrospective observational study conducted at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The author reviewed medical records of 68 patients who underwent lumbar disc surgery for sciatic pain during the period 1995-2004. All patients were physically examined and interviewed.


RESULTS
Lumbar disc surgery yielded complete pain relief in 79.41% of the cases. In 14.7% of the cases surgery failed to give any pain relief, and in 5.88% it yielded partial pain relief. At up to 10 years postoperatively, 27.77% of patients remained absolutely pain free. Pain recurred in 12.82% of cases after 1 year, in 35.89% during the first 5 years, and in 51.28% after 10 years. Pain recurred in the same leg in 63.88%, in the contralateral leg in 19.44%, and in both legs in 16.66%. Neurological deficits did not improve in any case except in 1 case of foot drop. New neurological deficits developed postoperatively in 8.82% of cases in the form of foot drop and calf muscle weakness.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgery provided immediate pain relief in 79.41% of cases, but the long-term outcome of lumbar disc surgery was not satisfactory.
Department of Neurosurgery, Saad Specialist Hospital, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ahmedbakhsh@gmail.com
Ahmed
A
Bakhsh
D000328:Adult; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome