Outcome analysis in 654 surgically treated lumbar disc herniations

Bowel injury in lumbar spine surgery: a review of the literature

Although rarely documented in the medical literature, bowel perforation injury can be a severe complication of spine surgery. Our goal was to review current literature regarding this complication and study possible methods of avoidance. We conducted a literature search in the PubMed database between January 1960 and March 2016 using the terms abrasion, bowels, bowel, complication, injury, intestine, intra-abdominal sepsis/shock, perforation, lumbar, spine, surgery, visceral. Diagnostic criteria, outcomes, risk factors, surgical approach, and treatment strategy were the parameters extracted from the search results and used for review. Thirty-one patients with bowel injury were recognized in the literature. Bowel injury was more frequent in patients who underwent lumbar discectomy and microdiscectomy (18 of 31 patients, 58.1%). Minimally invasive surgery and lateral techniques involving fusions accounted for 10 of the reported cases (32.3%). Finally, 2 cases (6.5%) were reported in conjunction with sacrectomies and 1 case (3.2%) with posterior fusion plus anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) release. Diagnosis was made mostly by clinical signs/symptoms of acute abdominal pain, post-surgical wound infection, and abscess or enterocutaneous fistulas. Significant risk factors for postoperative bowel injury were complex surgical anatomy, medical history of previous abdominal surgeries or infections, irradiation before surgery, errors related to surgical technique, lack of surgical experience, and instrumentation failure. The overall mortality rate from bowel injury was 12.9% (4 of 31 patients). The overall morbidity rate was 87.1% (27 of 31 patients). According to our review of the literature, bowel injury is linked to significant morbidity and mortality. It can be prevented with meticulous pre-surgical planning. When it occurs, timely treatment reduces the risks of morbidity and mortality.

What is the Rate of Revision Discectomies After Primary Discectomy on a National Scale?

BACKGROUND

Lumbar discectomy has been shown to be clinically beneficial in numerous studies for appropriately selected patients. Some patients, however, undergo revision discectomy, with previously reported estimates of revisions ranging from 5.1% to 7.9%. No study to date has been able to precisely quantify the rate of revision surgery over numerous years on a national scale.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSE

We performed a survival analysis for lumbar discectomy on a national scale using a life-table analysis to answer the following questions: (1) What is the rate of revision discectomy on a national scale over 5 to 7 years for patients undergoing primary discectomy alone? (2) Are there differences in revision discectomy rates based on age of patient, region of the country, or the payer type?

METHODS

The Medicare 5% National Sample Administrative Database (SAF5) and a large national database from Humana Inc (HORTHO) were used to catalog the number of patients undergoing a lumbar discectomy. Both of these databases have been cited in numerous peer-reviewed publications during the previous 5 years and routinely are audited by PearlDiver Inc. We identified patients using relevant ICD-9 codes and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, including ICD-9 72210 (lumbar disc displacement) for disc herniation. We used appropriate CPT codes to identify patients who had a lumbar discectomy. We analyzed patients undergoing additional surgery including those who had repeat discectomy (CPT-63042: laminotomy, reexploration single interspace, lumbar) and patients who had additional more-extensive decompressive procedures with or without fusion after their primary procedure. Revision surgery rates were calculated for patients 65 years and older and those younger than 65 years and for each database (Humana Inc and Medicare). Patients from the two databases also were analyzed based on four distinct geographic regions in the United States where their surgery occurred. There were a total of 7520 patients who underwent a lumbar discectomy for an intervertebral disc displacement with at least 5 years of followup in the HORTHO and SAF5 databases. We used cumulative incidence of revision surgery to estimate the survivorship of these patients.

RESULTS

In the HORTHO (2613 patients) and SAF5 (4907 patients) databases, 147 patients (5.6%; 95% CI, 1.8%-9.2%) and 305 patients (6.2%; 95% CI, 3.5%-8.9%) had revision surgery at 7 years after the index discectomy respectively. Survival analysis showed survival rates greater than 93% (95% CI, 91%-98%) for all of the cohorts for a primary discectomy up to 7 years after the surgery. The survivorship was lower for patients younger than 65 years (93% [95% CI, 87%-99%, 1016 of 1091] versus 95% [95% CI, 90%-100%, 1450 of 1522], p = 0.02). When nondiscectomy lumbar surgeries were included, the survivorship of patients younger than 65 years remained lower (83% [95% CI, 76%-89%, 902 of 1091] versus 87% [95% CI, 82%-92%, 1324 of 1522], p = 0.02). There was no difference in revision discectomy rates across geographic regions (p = 0.41) at 7 years. Similarly, there was no difference in additional nondiscectomy lumbar surgery rates (p = 0.68) across geographic regions at 7 years. There was no difference in survivorship rates between patients covered by Medicare (94% [95% CI, 91%-97%], 4602 of 4907) versus Humana Inc (94% [95% CI, 90%-98%], 2466 of 2613) (p = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows rates of cumulative survival after an index lumbar discectomy with revision discectomy as the endpoint. We hope these data allow physicians to offer accurate advice to patients regarding the risk of revision surgery for patients of all ages during 5 to 7 years after their index procedure to enhance shared decision making in spinal surgery. These data also will help public policymakers and accountable care organizations accurately allocate scarce resources to patients with symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Utility of the clivo-axial angle in assessing brainstem deformity: pilot study and literature review

There is growing recognition of the kyphotic clivo-axial angle (CXA) as an index of risk of brainstem deformity and craniocervical instability. This review of literature and prospective pilot study is the first to address the potential correlation between correction of the pathological CXA and postoperative clinical outcome. The CXA is a useful sentinel to alert the radiologist and surgeon to the possibility of brainstem deformity or instability. Ten adult subjects with ventral brainstem compression, radiographically manifest as a kyphotic CXA, underwent correction of deformity (normalization of the CXA) prior to fusion and occipito-cervical stabilization. The subjects were assessed preoperatively and at one, three, six, and twelve months after surgery, using established clinical metrics: the visual analog pain scale (VAS), American Spinal InjuryAssociation Impairment Scale (ASIA), Oswestry Neck Disability Index, SF 36, and Karnofsky Index. Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests were performed to correlate clinical outcome with CXA. No major complications were observed. Two patients showed pedicle screws adjacent to but not deforming the vertebral artery on post-operative CT scan. All clinical metrics showed statistically significant improvement. Mean CXA was normalized from 135.8° to 163.7°. Correction of abnormal CXA correlated with statistically significant clinical improvement in this cohort of patients. The study supports the thesis that the CXA maybe an important metric for predicting the risk of brainstem and upper spinal cord deformation. Further study is feasible and warranted.

Three-Years Outcome of Microdiscectomy via Paramedian Approach for Lumbar Foraminal or Extraforaminal Disc Herniations in Elderly Patients over 65 Years Old

OBJECTIVE

Lumbar foraminal or extraforaminal disc herniations (FEFDH) have unusual clinical features and higher incidence in elderly patients compared to usual intraspinal canal disc herniations. We evaluated the efficacy of microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for lumbar FEFDH in elderly patients over the age of 65.

METHODS

Retrospective study was performed in 68 patients over the age of 65 (23 male and 45 female patients; 71.46±3.87 years) who underwent microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for unilateral lumbar FEFDH causing sciatica. The radiological factors including degree of slippage, presence of instability, disc height, and degree of disc degeneration; pain and functional status by the means of visual analogue scale score, Oswestry Disability Index score, and Macnab classification were analyzed preoperatively and during the postoperative follow-up period of 3 years to evaluate the efficacy of the surgical treatment.

RESULTS

Pain and functional status improved according to short- and long-term follow-up evaluations after surgery. Radiological changes following surgery, which can be understood as structural deteriorations and deformations, did not represent patient condition. Nine patients underwent additional surgery due to sustained or recurring leg pain of aggravation of back pain, and fusion surgery was required for 3 patients. Degree of preoperative slippage was the only statistically significant factor related to additional surgery (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Microdiscectomy via paramedian approach for FEFDH may be a good surgical alternative in elderly patients. Radiological changes after surgery did not show a concordance with patients' actual functional status. The excessive preoperative slippage tended to lead to unfavorable result after surgery and was associated with additional surgery.

Results of arthrospine assisted percutaneous technique for lumbar discectomy

BACKGROUND

Avaialable minimal invasive arthro/endoscopic techniques are not compatible with 30 degree arthroscope which orthopedic surgeons uses in knee and shoulder arthroscopy. Minimally invasive "Arthrospine assisted percutaneous technique for lumbar discectomy" is an attempt to allow standard familiar microsurgical discectomy and decompression to be performed using 30° arthroscope used in knee and shoulder arthroscopy with conventional micro discectomy instruments.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 patients suffering from lumbar disc herniations were operated between January 2004 and December 2012 by indiginously designed Arthrospine system and were evaluated retrospectively. In lumbar discectomy group, there were 85 males and 65 females aged between 18 and 72 years (mean, 38.4 years). The delay between onset of symptoms to surgery was between 3 months to 7 years. Levels operated upon included L1-L2 (n = 3), L2-L3 (n = 2), L3-L4 (n = 8), L4-L5 (n = 90), and L5-S1 (n = 47). Ninety patients had radiculopathy on right side and 60 on left side. There were 22 central, 88 paracentral, 12 contained, 3 extraforaminal, and 25 sequestrated herniations. Standard protocol of preoperative blood tests, x-ray LS Spine and pre operative MRI and pre anaesthetic evaluation for anaesthesia was done in all cases. Technique comprised localization of symptomatic level followed by percutaneous dilatation and insertion of a newly devised arthrospine system devise over a dilator through a 15 mm skin and fascial incision. Arthro/endoscopic discectomy was then carried out by 30° arthroscope and conventional disc surgery instruments.

RESULTS

Based on modified Macnab's criteria, of 150 patients operated for lumbar discectomy, 136 (90%) patients had excellent to good, 12 (8%) had fair, and 2 patients (1.3%) had poor results. The complications observed were discitis in 3 patients (2%), dural tear in 4 patients (2.6%), and nerve root injury in 2 patients (1.3%). About 90% patients were able to return to light and sedentary work with an average delay of 2 weeks and normal physical activities after 2 months.

CONCLUSION

Arthrospine system is compatible with 30° arthroscope and conventional micro-discectomy instruments. Technique minimizes approach related morbidity and provides minimal access corridor for lumbar discectomy.

Predictive value of 3-month lumbar discectomy outcomes in the NeuroPoint-SD Registry

OBJECT

The authors have established a multicenter registry to assess the efficacy and costs of common lumbar spinal procedures using prospectively collected outcomes. Collection of these data requires an extensive commitment of resources from each site. The aim of this study was to determine whether outcomes data from shorter-interval follow-up could be used to accurately estimate long-term outcome following lumbar discectomy.

METHODS

An observational prospective cohort study was completed at 13 academic and community sites. Patients undergoing single-level lumbar discectomy for treatment of disc herniation were included. SF-36 and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data were obtained preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Quality-adjusted life year (QALY) data were calculated using SF-6D utility scores. Correlations among outcomes at each follow-up time point were tested using the Spearman rank correlation test.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-eight patients were enrolled over 1 year. Their mean age was 46 years (49% female). Eleven patients (7.4%) required a reoperation by 1 year postoperatively. The overall 1-year follow-up rate was 80.4%. Lumbar discectomy was associated with significant improvements in ODI and SF-36 scores (p < 0.0001) and with a gain of 0.246 QALYs over the 1-year study period. The greatest gain occurred between baseline and 3-month follow-up and was significantly greater than improvements obtained between 3 and 6 months or 6 months and 1 year(p < 0.001). Correlations between 3-month, 6-month, and 1-year outcomes were similar, suggesting that 3-month data may be used to accurately estimate 1-year outcomes for patients who do not require a reoperation. Patients who underwent reoperation had worse outcomes scores and nonsignificant correlations at all time points.

CONCLUSIONS

This national spine registry demonstrated successful collection of high-quality outcomes data for spinal procedures in actual practice. Three-month outcome data may be used to accurately estimate outcome at future time points and may lower costs associated with registry data collection. This registry effort provides a practical foundation for the acquisition of outcome data following lumbar discectomy.

Incidence of Low Back Pain After Lumbar Discectomy for Herniated Disc and Its Effect on Patient-reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Long-term postdiscectomy degenerative disc disease and low back pain is a well-recognized disorder; however, its patient-centered characterization and quantification are lacking.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We performed a systematic literature review and prospective longitudinal study to determine the frequency of recurrent back pain after discectomy and quantify its effect on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was performed to identify studies reporting on the frequency of recurrent back pain, same-level recurrent disc herniation, and reoperation after primary lumbar discectomy. After excluding studies that did not report the percentage of patients with persistent back or leg pain more than 6 months after discectomy or did not report the rate of same level recurrent herniation, 90 studies, which in aggregate had evaluated 21,180 patients, were included in the systematic review portion of this study. For the longitudinal study, all patients undergoing primary lumbar discectomy between October 2010 and March 2013 were enrolled into our prospective spine registry. One hundred fifteen patients were more than 12 months out from surgery, 103 (90%) of whom were available for 1-year outcomes assessment. PROs were prospectively assessed at baseline, 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The threshold of deterioration used to classify recurrent back pain was the minimum clinically important difference in back pain (Numeric Rating Scale Back Pain [NRS-BP]) or Disability (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), which were 2.5 of 10 points and 20 of 100 points, respectively.

RESULTS SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

The proportion of patients reporting short-term (6-24 months) and long-term (> 24 months) recurrent back pain ranged from 3% to 34% and 5% to 36%, respectively. The 2-year incidence of recurrent disc herniation ranged from 0% to 23% and the frequency of reoperation ranged from 0% to 13%.

PROSPECTIVE STUDY

At 1-year and 2-year followup, 22% and 26% patients reported worsening of low back pain (NRS: 5.3 ± 2.5 versus 2.7 ± 2.8, p < 0.001) or disability (ODI%: 32 ± 18 versus 21 ± 18, p < 0.001) compared with 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

In a systematic literature review and prospective outcomes study, the frequency of same-level disc herniation requiring reoperation was 6%. Two-year recurrent low back pain may occur in 15% to 25% of patients depending on the level of recurrent pain considered clinically important, and this leads to worse PROs at 1 and 2 years postoperatively.

Microdiskectomy and translaminar approach: minimal invasiveness and flavum ligament preservation

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective The interlaminar approach represents the standard procedure for the surgical treatment of lumbar disk herniation (LDH). In the case of disk herniations in the "hidden zone," it could be necessary to perform laminotomies or laminectomies and partial or total facetectomies to remove the herniated fragment, thus leading to iatrogenic instability. The objective of the study is to evaluate the translaminar approach, in terms of the results, safety, and efficacy compared with the standard approach. Methods Since February 2010, 38 patients (26 men and 12 women; mean age 50.9 years, range 31 to 78 years) with LDH and migration into the hidden zone underwent a microdiskectomy by the translaminar approach. Using a micro-diamond dust-coated burr, a translaminar hole (8 ± 2 mm) was made, with subsequent exposure of the involved root and removal of the fragment. A clinical follow-up was performed at months 1, 3, 6, and 12 using the visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Index. All patients were evaluated according to the Spangfort score. Postoperative radiographic evaluations were done at 1, 6, and 12 months (dynamic radiographic studies done at 6 and 12 months). Results In over 60% of cases, L4-L5 was the involved disk. The visualization of the roots was successfully achieved through a translaminar approach. No laminotomies, laminectomies, or partial or total facetectomies were performed. The flavum ligament was always spared. A severe intraoperative bleeding episode occurred in 5% of the cases, due to involvement of the epidural veins, but it did not result in prolonged operative time (mean duration 60 ± 10 minutes). The patients showed a gradual resolution of the back pain and a progressive resolution of the radicular pain and the neurologic deficits. No sign of radiographic instability was documented during the follow-up. No infections, dural tears, or spinal cord injuries occurred. No revision surgery was performed. Conclusion The translaminar approach is the only tissue-sparing technique viable in case of cranially migrated LDH encroaching on the exiting nerve root in the preforaminal zones, for the levels above L2-L3, and in the preforaminal and foraminal zones, for the levels below L3-L4 (L5-S1 included, if a total microdiskectomy is not necessary). The possibility to spare the flavum ligament is one of the main advantages of this technique. According to our experience, the translaminar approach is an effective and safe alternative minimally invasive surgical option.

Long-Term Results of Various Operations for Lumbar Disc Herniation: Analysis of over 39,000 Patients

OBJECTIVE

To determine the long-term follow-up of the various operations for lumbar disc herniation in a large patient population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients who had operations for lumbar disc herniation (microdiscectomy, endoscopic microdiscectomy and the 'classical operation', i.e. laminectomy/laminotomy with discectomy) were collected from the world literature. Patients who had follow-ups for at least 2 years were analyzed relative to the outcome. The outcome was graded by the patients themselves, and the operative groups were compared to one another.

RESULTS

39,048 patients collected from the world literature had had lumbar disc operations for disc herniations. The mean follow-up period was 6.1 years, and 30,809 (78.9%) patients reported good/excellent results. Microdiscectomy was performed on 3,400 (8.7%) patients. The mean follow-up was 4.1 years with 2,866 (84.3%) good/excellent results, while 1,101 (3.6%) patients had endoscopic microdiscectomy. There, the mean follow-up was 2.9 years with 845 (79.5%) good/excellent results. The classical operation was performed on 34,547 (88.5%) patients with a mean follow-up period of 6.3 years, and 27,050 (78.3%) patients had good/excellent results. These results mirror those with discectomy and the placement of prosthetic discs.

CONCLUSIONS

The analysis of 39,048 patients with various operations for lumbar disc herniation revealed the same pattern of long-term results. Patients who had microdiscectomy, endoscopic microdiscectomy or the classical operation (laminectomy/laminotomy with discectomy) all had approximately 79% good/excellent results. None of the operative procedures gave a different outcome. l.

Repositioning suture of the erector spinae muscle for lumbar spine surgery via the posterior approach: a prospective randomized study

We prospectively studied the effectiveness of the repositioning suture of the erector spinae muscle for lumbar spine surgery using the posterior approach. 393 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive the repositioning or conventional suture of the erector spinae muscle. Time to stitch removal and drainage volume was recorded at 24 and 48 h after operation. Hemoglobin loss rate was determined at 48 h post operation and the rate of malunion (redness, swelling and effusion at stitch removal and would disruption after stitch removal) was recorded. Low back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months after operation. Time to stitch removal was comparable in lumbar spine surgery patients receiving the repositioning or conventional suture of the erector spinae muscle (P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional suture, the repositioning suture was associated with significantly reduced drainage volume both at 24 (P < 0.01) and 48 h after operation (P < 0.05). Hemoglobin loss rate at 48 h post operation was also markedly lower in lumbar spine surgery patients receiving the repositioning suture than in those receiving the conventional suture (P < 0.01 or 0.05). Furthermore, the malunion rate in lumbar spine surgery patients using the repositioning suture was markedly lower than that in the conventional group (P < 0.05 or 0.001). There was no difference in preoperative VAS scores in both the groups (P > 0.05). Compared with the conventional suture, the repositioning suture was associated with significantly reduced VAS scores both at 24 and 48 h after operation (P < 0.01 in both). The repositioning suture of the erector spinae muscle is superior to the conventional suture in posterior lumbar spine surgery with marked lessened pain and reduced drainage volume.

Transforaminal endoscopic lumbar decompression & foraminoplasty: a 10 year prospective survivability outcome study of the treatment of foraminal stenosis and failed back surgery

Background

Conventional diagnosis between axial and foraminal stenosis is suboptimal and long-term outcomes limited to posterior decompression. Aware state Transforaminal Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression and Foraminoplasty (TELDF) offers a direct aware state means of localizing and treating neuro-claudicant back pain, referred pain and weakness associated with stenosis failing to respond to conventional rehabilitation, pain management or surgery. This prospective survivability study examines the outcomes 10 years after TELDF in patients with foraminal stenosis arising from degeneration or failed back surgery.

Methods

For 10 years prospective data were collected on 114 consecutive patients with multilevel spondylosis and neuro-claudicant back pain, referred pain and weakness with or without failed back surgery whose symptoms had failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation and pain management and who underwent TELDF. The level responsible for the predominant presenting symptoms of foraminal stenosis, determined on clinical grounds, MRI and or CT scans, was confirmed by transforaminal probing and discography. Patients underwent TELDF at the spinal segment at which the predominant presenting symptoms were reproduced. Those that required treatment at an additional segment were excluded. Outcomes were assessed by postal questionnaire with failures being examined by the independent authors using the Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAPS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Prolo Activity Score.

Results

Cohort integrity was 69%. 79 patients were available for evaluation after removal of the deceased (12), untraceable (17) and decliners (6) from the cohort.

VAP scores improved from a pre-operative mean of 7.3 to 2.4 at year 10. The ODI improved from a mean of 58.5 at baseline to 17.5 at year 10. 72% of reviewed patients fulfilled the definition of an “Excellent” or “Good Clinical Impact” at review using the Spinal Foundation Outcome Score. Based on the Prolo scale, 61 patients (77%) were able to return and continue in full or part-time work or retirement activity post-TELDF. Complications of TELDF were limited to transient nerve irritation, which affected 19% of the cohort for 2 – 4 weeks. TELDF was equally beneficial in those with failed back surgery.

Conclusions

TELDF is a beneficial intervention for the long-term treatment of severely disabled patients with neuro-claudicant symptoms arising from spinal or foraminal stenosis with a dural diameter of more than 3mm, who have failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation or chronic pain management. It results in considerable improvements in symptoms and function sustained 10 years later despite co-morbidity, ageing or the presence of failed back surgery.

Clinical Relevance

The long term outcome of TELDF in severely disabled patients with neuro-claudicant symptoms arising from foraminal stenosis which had failed to respond to conventional rehabilitation, surgery or chronic pain management suggests that foraminal pathology is a major cause of lumbar axial and referred pain and that TELDF should be offered as primary treatment for these conditions even in the elderly and infirm. The application of TELDF at multiple levels may further widen the benefits of this technique.

Significance of the mass-compression effect of postlaminectomy/laminotomy fibrosis on histological changes on the dura mater and nerve root of the cauda equina: an experimental study in rats

PURPOSE

The precise mechanism and pathological role of postlaminectomy/laminotomy fibrosis (PLF) in postoperative neurological deficits have not been established. Many studies use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to prove that there is no consistent correlation between PLF and postoperative neurological deficits and back pain (PNDBP). Therefore, we assumed that the direct-compression effect may not be the only factor but that other neurological deficits associated with pathological mechanisms should exist and need more investigation. The purpose of this study was to compare over time the differences and changes in histopathological properties of PLF in rats.

METHODS

We used a rat model with walking-track analysis for neurologic evaluation, grading scale to evaluate PLF, histomorphometric measurements of dura sac diameter, and histological tissue reactions (dura mater and spinal rootlets) juxtaposed to the postlaminectomy/laminotomy defect. The 54 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into laminotomy (n = 18), laminectomy (n = 18), and sham-operation groups (n = 18). All groups were subdivided into three equal subgroups based on different postoperative time points (1, 2, and 3 months). All sections of vertebral column were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with Masson's trichrome.

RESULTS

The results showed that only a slight compression effect reflected by nonsignificant changes in the maximum anterior-posterior diameters within the dura sac, in the walking tract test, and increased grades of PLF over time. In addition, significant pathological inflammatory changes, such as thickening of the dura mater, axonal swelling, and neovascularization, were found in the post-laminectomy/laminotomy groups at each time point.

CONCLUSION

Laminectomy-/laminotomy-related inflammation may lead to PLF, and these pathological changes may be the main cause of postoperative neurological deficits. These findings show that research on preventing PLF should include perioperative modulation of inflammatory reactions induced by laminectomy/laminotomy.

Microendoscopic lumbar discectomy: Technique and results of 188 cases

BACKGROUND

Discectomy performed open or with an operating microscope remains the standard surgical management. Tubular retractor system is being increasingly used. Potential benefits include less muscle and local damage, better cosmesis, decreased pain and operative time and faster recovery after surgery. We have evaluated the outcome of micro endoscopic discectomy (MED) utilizing tubular retractors in terms of safety and efficacy of the technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

188 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for herniated disc using the tubular retractors between April 2007 and April 2012 are reported. All patients had a preoperative MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and were operated by a single surgeon with the METRx system (Medtronic, Sofamor-Danek, Memphis, TN) using 18 and 16 mm ports. All patients were mobilized as soon as pain subsided and discharged within 24-48 hours post surgery. The results were evaluated by using VAS (Visual Analog Scale 0-5) for back and leg pain and ODI (Oswestry Disability Index). Patients were followed up at intervals of 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2 years.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 46 years (range 16-78 years) and the sex ratio was 1.5 males to 1 female. The mean followup was 22 months (range 8-69 months). The mean VAS scale for leg pain improved from 4.14 to 0.76 (P < 0.05) and the mean VAS scale for back pain improved from 4.1 to 0.9 (P < 0.05). The mean ODI changed from 59.5 to 22.6 (P < 0.05). The mean operative time per level was about 50 minutes (range 20-90 minutes). Dural punctures occurred in 11 (5%) cases. Average blood loss was 30 ml (range 10-500 ml). A wrong level was identified and later corrected in a case of revision discectomy. Four patients with residual disc-herniation had revision MED and three patients with recurrent disc herniation later underwent fusion. One patient had wound infection which needed a debridement.

CONCLUSION

MED for herniated discs effectively achieves the goals of surgery with minimal access. The advantages of the procedure are cosmesis, early postoperative recovery and minimal postoperative morbidity.

The Prolo Scale: history, evolution and psychometric properties

BACKGROUND

The Prolo Scale (PS) is a widely accepted assessment tool for lumbar spinal surgery results. Nevertheless, in the literature there is a dearth of consensus about its application, interpretation and accuracy. The purpose of this review is to investigate the evolution of the PS from its introduction in 1986 to the present, including an analysis of different versions of the scale and research on the existing studies investigating its psychometric properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed, Cochrane Library and PEDro databases were searched. Studies in English, Italian, French, Spanish and German published from 1986 to December 2012 were analyzed.

RESULTS

The original lumbar surgery outcome scale consisted of two Likert-type scales (economic and functional). There are three more versions of the scale: Schnee proposed one consisting of 10 items, Brantigan made one with 20 items and introduced 2 more subscales (pain and medication), and Davis adapted the scale for the cervical spine. PS is often mentioned without any specific reference to the version used; therefore, a homogeneous comparison of studies is difficult to achieve. Several authors agree on the need to embrace a multidimensional measuring system to evaluate low back pain (LBP), but there is still no consensus regarding the most reliable tool. To date, PS has been mostly used as secondary outcome measure in association with validated primary measures for LBP.

CONCLUSIONS

The Prolo Scale has been adopted for clinical examination for 20 years because it is easy to administer and useful to compare significant amounts of data from surgical studies carried out at different times. Although several authors demonstrated the scale sensitivity among a battery of tests, no thorough validation study was found in the current literature.

Regarding the possibility of anterior vascular injury from the posterior approach to the lumbar disc space: an anatomical study

STUDY DESIGN

Anatomical study with magnetic resonance imaging data.

OBJECTIVE

To document the distances between the major retroperitoneal vessels and the anterior lumbar disc spaces; to determine the effect of patient positioning on these relationships; and to discuss ways to deal with vascular injury.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

It is well known that there are major vascular structures anterior to the lower lumbar spine. Vascular injury during posterior approaches, however, remains a problem. These anatomical relationships have not been determined in vivo, and there are no data on the effect of turning the patient prone, and onto bolsters.

METHODS

A random sampling of 49 women and 48 men was made. All examinations were performed in magnetic resonance scanners operating at 1.5 T. Measurements were made using electronic calipers on axial T2-weighted images. Post hoc studies were done on a smaller number of patients, to determine the effect of prone positioning.

RESULTS

At the L4-L5 level, 66% of the common iliac arteries in women and 49% of those in men were within 5 mm of the anterior aspect of the disc space. At L5-S1, these numbers dropped to 23% for women and 19% for men. No relationship between the age of the patient and the distance from disc space to blood vessel was found. There was little change in these measurements between the supine and prone positions. The use of bolsters to decompress the abdominal contents in the prone position did not significantly alter the disc-artery distances. Venous relationships were also documented.

CONCLUSION

The lower lumbar spine is confirmed to frequently be very close to the major retroperitoneal vessels. Turning the patient prone and placing the patient on bolsters does not change this relationship. This is part of the reason why vascular injuries may occur during routine lumbar spine surgery. Spine surgeons should be able to recognize and initiate treatment of such injuries.

Outcomes of cervical and lumbar disk herniations in Major League Baseball pitchers

The effects of disk herniations on the career and performance outcomes of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers are unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine the outcomes after a cervical or lumbar disk herniation for MLB pitchers. Forty MLB pitchers from 1984 to 2009 with a cervical disk herniation or lumbar disk herniation were identified using a previously established protocol. Cervical disk herniation was identified in 11 pitchers, 8 of which were treated operatively. The majority of pitchers with cervical disk herniation (8/11) returned to play at an average of 11.6 months. Lumbar disk herniation was identified in 29 pitchers, 20 of which were treated operatively. All pitchers with lumbar disk herniation (29/29) returned to play at an average of 7.3 months after diagnosis.

Deformative stress associated with an abnormal clivo-axial angle: A finite element analysis

Background:

Chiari malformation, functional cranial settling and subtle forms of basilar invagination result in biomechanical neuraxial stress, manifested by bulbar symptoms, myelopathy and headache or neck pain. Finite element analysis is a means of predicting stress due to load, deformity and strain. The authors postulate linkage between finite element analysis (FEA)-predicted biomechanical neuraxial stress and metrics of neurological function.

Methods:

A prospective, Internal Review Board (IRB)-approved study examined a cohort of 5 children with Chiari I malformation or basilar invagination. Standardized outcome metrics were used. Patients underwent suboccipital decompression where indicated, open reduction of the abnormal clivo-axial angle or basilar invagination to correct ventral brainstem deformity, and stabilization/ fusion. FEA predictions of neuraxial preoperative and postoperative stress were correlated with clinical metrics.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 32 months (range, 7-64). There were no operative complications. Paired t tests/ Wilcoxon signed-rank tests comparing preoperative and postoperative status were statistically significant for pain, bulbar symptoms, quality of life, function but not sensorimotor status. Clinical improvement paralleled reduction in predicted biomechanical neuraxial stress within the corticospinal tract, dorsal columns and nucleus solitarius.

Conclusion:

The results are concurrent with others, that normalization of the clivo-axial angle, fusion-stabilization is associated with clinical improvement. FEA computations are consistent with the notion that reduction of deformative stress results in clinical improvement. This pilot study supports further investigation in the relationship between biomechanical stress and central nervous system (CNS) function.

Results and risk factors for recurrence following single-level tubular lumbar microdiscectomy

Object

The use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including microscope-assisted tubular lumbar microdiscectomy (tLMD), has gained increasing popularity in treating lumbar disc herniations (LDHs). This particular procedure has been shown to be both cost-efficient and effective, resulting in outcomes comparable to those of open surgical procedures. Lumbar disc herniation recurrence necessitating reoperation, however, remains an issue following spinal surgery, with an overall reported incidence of approximately 3–13%. The authors' aim in the present study was to report their experience using tLMD for single-level LDH, hoping to provide further insight into the rate of surgical recurrence and to identify potential risk factors leading to this complication.

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the cases of 217 patients who underwent tLMD for single-level LDH performed identically by 2 surgeons (J.B., R.H.) between 2004 and 2008. Evaluation for LDH recurrence included detailed medical chart review and telephone interview. Recurrent LDH was defined as the return of preoperative signs and symptoms after an interval of postoperative resolution, in conjunction with radiographic demonstration of ipsilateral disc herniation at the same level and pathological confirmation of disc material. A cohort of patients without recurrence was used for comparison to identify possible risk factors for recurrent LDH.

Results

Of the 147 patients for whom the authors were able to definitively assess symptomatic recurrence status, 14 patients (9.5%) experienced LDH recurrence following single-level tLMD. The most common level involved was L5–S1 (42.9%) and the mean length of time to recurrence was 12 weeks (range 1.5–52 weeks). Sixty-four percent of the patients were male. In a comparison with patients without recurrence, the authors found that relatively lower body mass index was significantly associated with recurrence (p = 0.005), such that LDH in nonobese patients was more likely to recur.

Conclusions

Recurrence rates following tLMD for LDH compare favorably with those in patients who have undergone open discectomy, lending further support for its effectiveness in treating single-level LDH. Nonobese patients with a relatively lower body mass index, in particular, appear to be at greater risk for recurrence.

Athletic performance outcomes following lumbar discectomy in professional basketball players

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the athletic performance profiles after lumbar discectomy (LD) in a cohort of National Basketball Association (NBA) players in comparison with a control group of matched NBA players who did not undergo LD during the same study period.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

LD provides symptomatic relief and improved functional outcomes in the majority of patients as assessed by validated measures such as Oswestry Disability Index, Visual Analog Scale, and Short Form-36 (SF-36). Among professional athletes, however, the goal of lumbar HNP treated by discectomy is not only to improve functional status but also, ultimately, to return the player to preinjury athletic performance levels. No study to date has compared the athletic performance profiles before and after discectomy in professional athletes.

METHODS

An analysis of NBA games summaries, weekly injury reports, player profiles, and press releases was performed to identify 24 NBA players who underwent LD for symptomatic lumbar HNP between 1991 and 2007. A 1:2 case: control study was performed using players without history of lumbar HNP who were matched for age, position, experience, and body mass index as control subjects (n = 48). Paired t tests were conducted on the following parameters: games played, minutes per game, points per 40 minutes, rebounds per 40 minutes, assists per 40 minutes, steals per 40 minutes, blocks per 40 minutes, and shooting percentage. For each athletic performance outcome, between-group comparisons evaluating preindex to postindex season performance were done (index season = season of surgery).

RESULTS

In the LD group, 18 of 24 players (75%) returned to play again in the NBA, compared with 42 of 48 players (88%, P = 0.31) in the control group. One year after surgery, between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant increase in blocked shots per 40 minutes in the LD (0.18) versus control group (-0.33; P = 0.008) and a smaller decrease in rebounds per 40 minutes in the LD (-0.25) versus control group (-1.42; P = 0.049). No other performance variable was found to be significantly different between the study and control group.

CONCLUSION

Compared with a closely matched control cohort, we found that 75% of surgical patients returned to play again in the NBA, compared with 88% in control subjects who did not undergo surgery. For those players who returned, overall athletic performance was slightly improved or no worse than control subjects.

Small bowel injury as a complication of lumbar microdiscectomy : case report and literature review

Small bowel injury resulting from unforeseen penetration of the anterior annulus fibrosus and longitudinal ligament is a rare complication of lumbar microdiscectomy. The patient complained of abdominal tenderness and distention immediately after microdiscectomy for L4-5 and L5-S1 disc herniation. Using abdominal computed tomography, we found several foci of air overlying the anterior aspect of the vertebral body at the L5-S1 level. Segmental resection of the small bowel including small tears and primary anastomosis of the jejunum were performed. Here, we present a case of intestinal perforation after lumbar microdiscectomy and discuss technical methods to prevent this complication with a review of literature.

A fatal folk remedy: rope wrapping to the back

BACKGROUND

Despite the developments in medicine in recent years, people in many regions of the world still tend to use alternative, or non-medical, folkloric treatment methods for many different health problems. One of these methods is "rope wrapping to the back," which is considered to be therapeutic for patients with lumbar disc hernias or low back pain. This method is practiced by local individuals without medical training.

CASE REPORT

Over the course of 3 years, 14 patients, 8 women and 6 men, presented to Atatürk University and Erzurum state hospitals in eastern Turkey after undergoing the folk treatment known as "rope wrapping to the back" for low back pain. One of the patients, who had symptoms of systemic infection, later died. Of the other patients, 4 had local infections, 6 had unresolved complaints, and 3 had other complaints. Nine of the patients were treated in the emergency department and 4 required surgery. Two case reports are provided as examples.

CONCLUSION

Improvements are needed to increase the accessibility of health care, improve physician-patient communication, and provide information to people, so as to prevent the use of folk remedies, which can have serious complications, sometimes resulting in death.

Clinic-based training in comparison to home-based training after first-time lumbar disc surgery: a randomised controlled trial

The effectiveness of physiotherapy after first-time lumbar disc surgery is still largely unknown. Studies in this field are heterogeneous and behavioural treatment principles have only been evaluated in one earlier study. The aim of this randomised study was to compare clinic-based physiotherapy with a behavioural approach to a home-based training programme regarding back disability, activity level, behavioural aspects, pain and global health measures. A total of 59 lumbar disc patients without any previous spine surgery or comorbidity participated in the study. Clinic-based physiotherapy with a behavioural approach was compared to home-based training 3 and 12 months after surgery. Additionally, the home training group was followed up 3 months after surgery by a structured telephone interview evaluating adherence to the exercise programme. Outcome measures were: Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), physical activity level, kinesiophobia, coping, pain, quality of life and patient satisfaction. Treatment compliance was high in both groups. There were no differences between the two groups regarding back pain disability measured by ODI 3 and 12 months after surgery. However, back pain reduction and increase in quality of life were significantly higher in the home-based training group. The patients in the clinic-based training group had significantly higher activity levels 12 months after surgery and were significantly more satisfied with physiotherapy care 3 months after surgery compared to the home-based training group. Rehabilitation after first-time lumbar disc surgery can be based on home training as long as the patients receive both careful instructions from a physiotherapist and strategies for active pain coping, and have access to the physiotherapist if questions regarding training arise. This might be a convenient treatment arrangement for most patients.

Clinical and radiological instability following standard fenestration discectomy

BACKGROUND

Post-surgical lumbar instability is an established complication but there is limited evidence in the literature regarding the incidence of lumbar instability following fenestration and discectomy. We analyzed our results following fenestration discectomy with a special focus on instability.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-three patients between the age of 17 and 52 years who had undergone fenestration discectomy for a single-level lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse were followed-up for a period of 1-5 years. The criteria for instability included "instability catch,", "painful catch," and "apprehension." The working capacity of the patient and the outcome score of the surgery were assessed by means of the Oswestry disability score and the Prolo economic and functional outcome score. Flexion-extension lateral radiographs were taken and analyzed for abnormal tilt and translation.

RESULTS

Of the 83 patients included, 70 were men and 13 were women, with an average age of 37.35 years (17-52 years) at 5 years follow-up. Clinical instability was seen in 10 (12.04%) patients. Radiological instability was noted in 29 (34.9%) patients. Only six (60%) of the 10 patients who demonstrated clinical instability had radiological evidence of instability. Twenty (68.96%) patients with radiological instability were asymptomatic. Three (10.34%) patients with only radiological instability had unsatisfactory outcome. The Oswestry scoring showed an average score of 19.8%. Mild disability was noted in 59 (71.08%) patients and moderate disability was seen in 24 (28.91%) patients. None of the patients had severe disability. These outcomes were compared with the outcomes in other studies in the literature for microdiscectomy and the results were found to be comparable.

CONCLUSION

The favorable outcome of this study is in good agreement with other studies on microdiscectomy. Clinical instability in 12.04% of the patients is in agreement with other studies. Radiological signs of instability are seen even in asymptomatic patients and so are not as reliable as clinical signs of instability. Standard fenestration discectomy does not destabilize the spine more than microdiscectomy.

Operative results and learning curve: microscope-assisted tubular microsurgery for 1- and 2-level discectomies and laminectomies

Object

The authors present their clinical results and the learning curve associated with the use of tubular retractors for 1- and 2-level lumbar microscope-assisted discectomies and laminectomies.

Methods

The study involves a retrospective and prospective analysis of 230 patients who underwent noninstrumented minimally invasive procedures for degenerative lumbar spinal disease between 2004 and 2007. Data on patient demographic characteristics and operative results, including length of stay, blood loss, operative times, and surgical complications were collected. Clinical outcomes were assessed based on pre- and postoperative Visual Analog Scale scores, Oswestry Disability Index values, and the Macnab outcome scale scores.

Results

The results showed characteristic differences in blood loss and operating times between 1- and 2-level procedures and between discectomies and laminectomies. A significant learning curve was seen by a decrease in operating time for 1- level discectomies and 2-level laminectomies. Major complications were not observed.

Conclusions

The use of tubular retractors for microsurgical decompression of degenerative spinal disease is a safe and effective treatment modality. As with other techniques, minimally invasive procedures are associated with a significant learning curve. As surgeons become more comfortable with the procedure, its applications can be expanded to include, for example, spinal instrumentation and deformity correction.

Microsurgery for recurrent lumbar disk herniation at the same level and side: do patients fare worse? Experience with 95 consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

In reviewing our experience with reoperation of RLDH, our aim was mainly to determine whether patients fared worse than after primary surgery. We found no uniform answers to this question in the literature.

METHODS

The data of 95 patients (29 women and 66 men) who underwent reoperation for RLDH at the same level and side were analyzed retrospectively. Forty-two patients underwent the first operation in our clinic (recurrence rate, 2.6% of 1586 cases). Gadolinium-enhanced MRI was performed in all patients. Main clinical data of patients, pain-free interval, operation time, surgical complications, duration of hospital stay, and clinical improvement rate were recorded.

RESULTS

The mean pain-free interval was 55 months (range, 3-120 months). Levels of recurrent herniation were L4 through L5 and L5 through S1 (65% and 35% of cases, respectively). Revision surgery lasted longer on average than the previous diskectomy (P < .01) and was complicated by dural tear in 4 cases (4.2% vs 0.9% during primary diskectomy, P < .05). There were no significant differences between revision and previous surgery in terms of hospital stay. However, rates of excellent/good outcomes were significantly less for RLDH (89% vs 95%, P < .05); and the percentage of poor results was higher (2% vs 0.5%, P < .05). Age, sex, smoking, profession, trauma, level and degree of herniation, and pain-free interval were not correlated with clinical outcome.

CONCLUSION

Conventional microsurgery for RLDH showed lightly but significantly worse results than those of primary microdiskectomy. Patients contemplating reoperation should be informed of this fact and of the risk of dural tear and prolonged operation time.

Timing of surgery in cauda equina syndrome with urinary retention: meta-analysis of observational studies

Object

The authors performed exploratory meta-analyses of observational cohort studies, evidence level III, examining whether earlier surgery makes a difference in outcome in terms of urinary function once cauda equina syndrome (CES) from a herniated lumbar disc has progressed to urinary retention (CESR).

Methods

Literature search identified 27 studies of CESR patients with clear definition of surgical timing. Relative risk (RR) could not be calculated in 11 studies, leaving 16 for meta-analysis. Urinary retention related to surgical timing at 5 breakpoints: 12, 24, 36, 48, or 72 hours. Urinary outcome was classified as Normal, Fair, or Poor. Meta-analysis was performed for “Event = Fair/Poor” or “Event = Poor.” Eight studies allowed separation into CESR and incomplete CES (CESI), and 5 of these had enough data for meta-analysis to compare CESR and CESI. A random effects meta-analysis model was used because of heterogeneity across the studies. A best-evidence synthesis was performed for the 4 largest studies that had 24- and 48-hour breakpoints.

Results

For “Event = Fair/Poor,” meta-analyses using the 5 breakpoints predicted a more likely Fair/Poor outcome for later surgery (RR range 1.77–2.19). The RR for later timing of surgery was statistically significant for 24-and 72-hour breakpoints and was elevated but not statistically significant for the other 3. For “Event = Poor,” the RR range was 1.09–5.82, statistically significant for the 36 hour breakpoint only. Meta-analysis comparing CESR patients with CESI patients predicted a Fair/Poor result for CESR (RR 2.58, 95% confidence interval 0.59–11.31). The best-evidence synthesis did not disclose reasons for differences in the results of the 4 studies.

Conclusions

This study supports early surgery for CES and indicates that CESR and CESI cases should not be analyzed together.

Late results of surgery for herniated lumbar disk as related to duration of preoperative symptoms and type of herniation

BACKGROUND

Ten to 40% of patients who have undergone state-of-the-art surgery for HLD do not obtain relief of pain. The relationship among timing of surgery for HLD, type of herniation, and clinical outcome, questioned in the present study, has rarely been referred to as an individual medical factor.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients belonging to a single ethnic group were called in 2 to 5 years after surgery and scored for change in severity of HLD-related pain (VAS) and current disability as scored by a functional rating system (Spangfort).

RESULTS

Patients with noncontained herniation (group 1), as compared with those with contained herniation (group 2), had had more intense radicular pain preoperatively (mean VAS, 8.3 vs 6.5), had a shorter history of pain (mean, 7.4 vs 15.8 weeks), and enjoyed a better functional outcome (good or fair in 96.4% vs 74.3%). Those in group 1 with a preoperative pain history of 6 weeks or less showed a greater decrease in pain intensity than those with a pain history of 6 to 12 weeks. Group 2 patients had had a longer preoperative history of symptoms than any in group 1 (>12 weeks in all) and showed an intermediate decrease in pain intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with noncontained herniation who do not show signs of improvement should be offered elective surgery after 6 to 8 weeks of observation; those having contained herniation should be advised that a certain degree of benefit can be expected from surgery, however late.

Recalibrage moins invasif des sténoses canalaires lombaires. À propos de 35 patients opérés en utilisant un système tubulaire de rétraction musculaire

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the indications, surgical technique, and postoperative findings in a series of 35 patients presenting lumbar canal stenosis due to osteoarthritic degeneration who underwent surgery using a tubular system for muscle retraction.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 35 patients, 28 with lumbar canal stenosis on a single level and seven with stenosis on two levels. On the stress images, 8 of these 35 patients presented stable degenerative spondylolisthesis. The surgical technique consisted in using a tubular system for muscle retraction. This enabled access for magnification and microsurgery of the canal, which was opened via an interlaminal approach. Concentric endocanal treatment was thus achieved without laminectomy. The same surgeon performed these 35 operations. The following variables were noted: patient age, level of canal narrowing, initial symptoms, duration of the operation, postoperative pain, use of analgesics, duration of hospital stay, clinical outcome at one and six months.

RESULTS

The postoperative period (mean postoperative stay 2.5 days) was generally uneventful with little pain (mean VAS 0.8). This can be explained by the absence of invasive dissection. Disinsertion of the paravertebral muscles and use of elevators can induce muscle ischemia. The spine is not destabilized since laminectomy is avoided. The six-month outcome showed relief of the initial symptom for 84% of patients. There were two dural breaches with no clinical impact and one patient required revision surgery because of destabilization of a degenerative spondylolisthesis. One other patient also required revision for complementary laminectomy.

CONCLUSION

The short-, mid-, and long-term results of spinal canal recalibration using a less invasive approach to lumbar canal stenosis via a tubular system for muscle retraction has provided encouraging results in terms of symptom relief. The early postoperative period is short and uneventful allowing earlier resumption of daily activities. This technique reduces the cost of hospitalization and drugs and is adapted for geriatric patients. The long-term outcome with this technique should be assessed in terms of spinal stability after recalibration.

Back pain in athletes

The athlete with back pain presents a clinical challenge. Self-limited symptoms must be distinguished from persistent or recurrent symptoms associated with identifiable pathology. Athletes involved in impact sports appear to have risk factors for specific spinal pathologies that correlate with the loading and repetition demands of specific activities. For example, elite athletes who participate in longer and more intense training have higher incidence rates of degenerative disk disease and spondylolysis than athletes who do not. However, data suggest that the recreational athlete may be protected from lumbar injury with physical conditioning. Treatment of athletes with acute or chronic back pain usually is nonsurgical, and symptoms generally are self-limited. However, a systematic approach to the athlete with back pain, involving a thorough history and physical examination, pertinent imaging, and treatment algorithms designed for specific diagnoses, can facilitate symptomatic improvement and return to play. There are no reliable studies examining the long-term consequences of athletic activity on the lumbar spine.

Comparison of usual surgical advice versus a nonaggravating six-month gym-based exercise rehabilitation program post-lumbar discectomy: results at one-year follow-up

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Discectomy is the surgery of choice for the lumbosacral radicular syndrome. Previous studies on the postsurgical management of these cases compare one exercise regime to another. This study compares an exercise-based group with a control group involving no formal exercise or rehabilitation.

PURPOSE

The outcomes of a formal postsurgical exercise-based rehabilitation when compared with the usual rehabilitative surgical advice were evaluated.

STUDY DESIGN

A randomized clinical trial comparing management regimes after lumbar discectomies.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Ninety-three lumbar discectomy patients were randomized to two groups.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The following postoperative outcomes were used: levels of pain; levels of function; psychological well-being; time off work; levels of medication; and number of doctor/therapist visits.

METHODS

Ninety-three lumbar discectomy patients were randomized to two groups. The treatment group undertook a 6-month supervised nonaggravating exercise program. The control group followed the usual surgical advice to resume normal activities as soon as the pain allowed. Both groups were followed for 1 year by using validated outcome measures.

RESULTS

The results are based on an intention-to-treat analysis. Patients in both groups improved during the 1-year follow-up (p=.001). There was no statistical significance between the groups at the clinical endpoint. The treatment group returned to work 7 days earlier and had fewer days off work in the 1-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

There was no statistical advantage gained by the group that performed the 6-month supervised nonaggravating exercise program at 1-year follow-up. They did, however, have fewer days off work.

Effects of home strength training and stretching versus stretching alone after lumbar disk surgery: a randomized study with a 1-year follow-up

OBJECTIVE

To assess the adherence to and effects of a 12-month combined strength and stretching home exercise regimen versus stretching alone, on patient outcome after lumbar disk surgery.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Departments of physical medicine and rehabilitation and orthopedics at a Finnish hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients (N=126) were randomized into either a combined strength training and stretching group (STG, n=65) or a control group (CG, n=61).

INTERVENTION

The STG was instructed to perform strength training and both the STG and CG were instructed in the same stretching and stabilization exercises for 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Pain on the visual analog scale (VAS), the Oswestry and the Million disability indexes, isometric and dynamic trunk muscle strength, mobility in the lumbar spine, and straight-leg raising were measured.

RESULTS

The trial was completed by 71% and 77% of the patients from the STG and the CG, respectively. The mean strength training frequency decreased from 1.5 to 0.6 times a week in the STG during the intervention. The mean stretching frequency decreased from 3.7 to 1.6 times a week in both groups. Median back and leg pain varied between 17 and 23 mm (VAS), and the Million and Oswestry indices varied between 14 and 23 points 2 months postoperatively. No statistically significant changes took place in these outcome measures during the 12-month follow-up in both groups. The changes in isometric trunk extension favored the STG ( P =.016) during the first 2 months. However, during the whole 12-month training period, both dynamic and isometric back extension and flexion strength, as well as mobility of the spine and repetitive squat-test results, improved significantly in both groups, and no differences were found in any of the physical function parameters between the STG and CG.

CONCLUSIONS

At the 12-month follow-up, no statistically significant changes were found in the physical function, pain, or disability measures between the groups. In the STG, training adherence with regard to training frequency and intensity remained too low to lead to specific training-induced adaptations in the neuromuscular system. Progressive loading, supervision of training, and psychosocial support is needed in long-term rehabilitation programs to maintain patient motivation.

The role of closed-suction drainage in preventing epidural fibrosis and its correlation with a new grading system of epidural fibrosis on the basis of MRI

In this study we aimed to evaluate the role of closed-suction drainage on the extent of epidural fibrosis (EF) after lumbar disc surgery and to define a new grading system of epidural fibrosis in these patients, based on magnetic resonance imaging. Seventy-nine patients (34 women, 45 men) with a unilateral, single-level lumbar disc herniation were included in this study. Forty-one patients in whom closed-suction drainage was implanted were compared with 38 patients in whom the drain was not implanted. We have used a new grading system for the extent of epidural fibrosis, on the basis of follow-up magnetic resonance imaging findings. Pain intensity was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS), and the patients' function and working ability were measured according to the Prolo functional-economic scale. We conclude that, in patients operated on for unilateral, single-level lumbar disc hernias, implantation of closed-suction drainage into the operation site results in less formation of EF radiologically and yields better clinical outcome.

Etiologies of failed back surgery syndrome

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

OBJECTIVE

To report the epidemiologic data of nonsurgical and surgical etiologies of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) from two outpatient spine practices.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

FBSS has been offered as a diagnosis, but this is an imprecise term encompassing a heterogeneous group of disorders that have in common pain symptoms after lumbar surgery. The current literature primarily diagnoses for the various etiologies of FBSS from a surgical perspective. To our knowledge, there is no study that investigates the myriad of surgical and nonsurgical diagnoses from a nonsurgical perspective.

METHODS

Specific inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed for a list of 42 nonsurgical and surgical differential diagnoses of FBSS. The determination of which category, surgical or nonsurgical, each diagnosis was placed into depended upon the categorization of those diagnoses in previously published literature on FBSS. Each of the authors reviewed the definitions, and they came to a unanimous agreement on each diagnosis' inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data extraction was then carried out in each of the two involved institutions by using the key words discectomy, laminectomy, and fusion to identify all the patients who had any combination of low back, buttock, or lower extremity pain after lumbar discectomy surgery. These charts were then individually reviewed to extract epidemiologic data.

RESULTS

A total of 267 charts were reviewed. One hundred and ninety-seven (197) charts had a complete workup. Of these, 11 (5.6%) had an unknown etiology, and 186 had a known diagnosis. Twenty-three (23) various diagnoses were identified. There was approximately an equal distribution between the incidences of nonsurgical and surgical diagnoses; 44.4% had nonsurgical diagnoses and 55.6% had surgical diagnoses. The most common diagnoses identified were spinal stenosis, internal disc disruption syndrome, recurrent/retained disc, and neural fibrosis.

CONCLUSION

FBSS is a syndrome consisting of a myriad of surgical and nonsurgical etiologies. Approximately one half of FBSS patients have a surgical etiology. Approximately 95% of patients can be provided a specific diagnosis.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF EFFICIENCY OF DESTANDAU ENDOSCOPIC DISCECTOMY AND OPEN MICROSURGICAL DISCECTOMY FOR LUMBAR DISC HERNIATION

Objectives. To estimate efficiency, safety and traumatizing impact of endoscopic discectomy in comparison with traditional microsurgical discectomy. Material and methods. A total of 330 patients underwent Destandau endoscopic discectomy and 964 – open microsurgical discectomy. The operative times, terms of patient postoperative bed and hospital stays, postoperative dynamics of neurologic deficiency, surgical complications and frequency of herniation recurrences were estimated in both groups. Pain intensity was assessed with the 10-score Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and functional activity – with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results of surgical treatment were estimated in 8–10 days, 6 and 12 months after operation. Results. VAS and ODI data have not revealed essential distinctions in pain regression dynamics after endoscopic and open surgeries. Surgical complications after endoscopic intervention were not more often, than after microsurgical discectomy. Damage of dura mater occurred in 2.4 % of cases, and increase in neurologic deficiency (hypoesthesia) – in 0.6 %. Herniation recurrences have evolved in 3.0 % of cases after endoscopic discectomy and in 4.7 % – after open microsurgical one. Conclusion. Destandau endoscopic surgery is a low invasive method of effective treatment for lumbar disc herniations, which by its technical opportunities and results is competitive with classical open microsurgical discectomy.

The risk of "getting worse" after lumbar microdiscectomy

A frequent concern among patients operated for lumbar disc herniation is the risk of "getting worse". To give an evidence-based estimate of the risk for worsening has been difficult, since previous studies have been more focused on unfavourable outcome in general, rather than on deterioration in particular. In this prospective study of 180 patients, we report the frequency of and the risk factors for getting worse after first time lumbar microdiscectomy. Follow-up time was 12 months. Primary outcome measure was the Oswestry disability index, assessing functional status and health-related quality of life. Of the patients 4% got worse. Independent risk factors of deterioration were a long duration of sick leave and a better functional status and quality of life prior to operation. We conclude that the risk of deterioration is small, but larger if the patient has been unable to work despite relatively small health problems. This study also demonstrates that changes in instrument scores should be reported, so that an accurate failure rate can be assessed.

Functional results and the risk factors of reoperations after lumbar disc surgery

Factors such as driving motor vehicles, sedentary occupations, vibration, smoking, previous full-term pregnancies, physical inactivity, increased body mass index (BMI), and a tall stature are associated with symptomatic disc herniations. Fitness and strength is postulated to protect an individual from disc rupture. The objective of our study was to determine the pain levels and differences of functional and economic situations of patients who had undergone one or more than one operation due to lumbar disc herniation and to put forward the effect of risk factors that may be potential, especially from the aspect of undergoing reoperation. Patients who had undergone one (n=46) or more than one operation (n=34) due to lumbar disc herniation were included in the study. It was a prospective study with evaluation on the day the patients were discharged and at second and sixth months after lumbar disc operation. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used in determining the functional disability associated with back pain; the Prolo Functional Economic Rating Scale (Prolo scale) was used in determining the effect of back pain on functional and economic situations. In the ODI measurements made in the postoperative second and sixth months, significant differences appeared in favor of patients who had undergone one operation (p<0.05). According to the Prolo scale, it was found that the economic situation was better in the sixth month and the functional situation was better in the second and sixth months in patients having undergone one operation (p<0.05). The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the lack of regular physical exercise was a significant predictor for reoperation (OR, 4.595; CI, 1.38-15.28), whereas gender, age, BMI, occupation, or smoking did not indicate so much significance as regular exercise.

Spinal tumors in coexisting degenerative spine disease--a differential diagnostic problem

The clinical presentation of spinal tumors is known to vary, in many instances causing a delay in diagnosis and treatment, especially with benign tumors. Neck or back pain and sciatica, with or without neurological deficits, are mostly caused by degenerative spine and disc disease. Spinal tumors are rare, and the possibility of concurrent signs of degenerative changes in the spine is high. We report a series of ten patients who were unsuccessfully treated for degenerative spine disease. They were subsequently referred for operative treatment to our department, where an initial diagnosis of a tumor was made. Two patients had already been operated on for disc herniations, but without long-lasting effects. In eight patients the diagnosis of a tumor was made preoperatively. In two cases the tumor was found intraoperatively. All patients showed radiological signs of coexisting degenerative spine disease, making diagnosis difficult. MRI was the most helpful tool for diagnosing the tumors. A frequent symptom was back pain in the recumbent position. Other typical settings that should raise suspicion are persistent pain after disc surgery and neurological signs inconsistent with the level of noted degenerative disease. Tumor extirpation was successful in treating the main complaints in all but one patient. There was an incidence of 0.5% of patients in which a spinal tumor was responsible for symptoms thought to be of degenerative origin. However, this corresponds to 28.6% of all spine-tumor patients in this series. MRI should be widely used to exclude a tumor above the level of degenerative pathology.

The effect of previous low back surgery on general health status: results from the National Spine Network initial visit survey of patients with low back pain

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study on 18,325 patients with back pain enrolled at first visit in the National Spine Network (NSN) database from January 1998 to April 2000.

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether patients who had previous low back surgeries had poorer general health status than patients with no surgery.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Several studies have described the role of psychological abnormalities in patients with chronic low back pain. Some of these patients have had previous spinal surgeries performed. No study has examined the effects of previous low back surgery on the general health status.

METHODS

The Short Form Health Survey 36 was administered to the initial visit NSN patients. Of the 18,325 patients enrolled, 3,632 had previous low back surgeries.

RESULTS

Patients who had previous lumbar surgeries fared significantly poorly in all 10 scores of the SF-36 health survey, even after adjustment for confounding factors. Among these patients, decompression achieved significantly higher scores for General Health, Role-Physical, and Mental Component Summary scales. Patients who had decompression as their most recent surgery had higher scores for General Health, Role-Physical, Role-Emotional, and Mental Component Summary scales, when compared to those who had other surgeries. Patients who had instrumentation as their most recent surgery had higher scores for Bodily Pain and Physical Component Summary scores. There is a positive correlation between time since last surgery and the SF-36 outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Previous back surgery is associated with significantly worse general health status than those without surgery. Among patients who had previous surgeries, decompression seems to exert better effects on SF-36 health status. There is a positive correlation between time since last surgery and the SF-36 outcomes, although the SF-36 scores are significantly lower than those without previous surgery.

Wrong disc space level surgery: medicolegal implications

BACKGROUND

Operating the wrong disc level for herniated disc disease is a rarely reported complication. However, it is considered by many a breach in the standard of care. It is not unusual for litigation to result. Sixty-nine cases of wrong disc space level surgery were identified; 68 cases were the subject of lawsuits.

METHODS

Sixty-five lawsuit outcomes were published in a national monthly newsletter of malpractice cases, Medical Malpractice Verdicts, Settlements and Experts. Two cases came from medicolegal review, one case from a news article, and one case for which no claim was made.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven cases were settled. A plaintiff verdict was rendered in 18 cases and a defense verdict in 13 cases (42% of the cases that were decided by a jury).

CONCLUSIONS

The authors summarize steps to reduce the incidence of this misadventure. The authors recommend that the patient be advised of this potential and the patient be informed of the risk factors when special circumstances exist.

Contributions of flexion-extension cyclic loads to the lumbar spinal segment stability following different discectomy procedures

STUDY DESIGN

An in vitro biomechanical cadaveric study. OBJECTIVES To elucidate the effect of flexion-extension cyclic loads on the motion behavior of lumbar spine after different discectomies.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Biomechanical cadaveric studies to evaluate the effect of discectomy have been performed and have indicated the relevance between the volume of removed disc materials and increase of motion in affected intervertebral disc. However, there are no biomechanical studies to investigate the motion behavior of injured intervertebral disc after cyclic loads.

METHODS

Twenty-eight lumbar functional spinal units were randomized into fenestration, annulotomy, limited discectomy, and radical discectomy groups. Pure bending moments were applied to simulate various loading modes and determine the resulting displacements before and after surgery, and after cyclic loads of 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 cycles at a frequency of 0.5 Hz and a force of +/-3.0 Nm. Change of range of motion (ROM) was compared among each group.

RESULTS

Following surgery, in the radical discectomy group, the relative change of ROM mostly increased in all motion directions except right lateral bending. On the other hand, during cyclic loads up to 10,000 cycles, in the limited discectomy group, the relative change of ROM mostly increased in all motion directions except right lateral bending.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that the effect of cyclic loads after discectomy may increase ROM, leading to spinal instability even if the increase in ROM does not occur immediately after surgery for the minimum removal of nucleus pulposus case. Clinically, this may underscore the importance of postoperative lumbar support.

Adjacent two-level lumbar discectomy: outcome and SF-36 functional assessment

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective outcomes study.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the outcome following adjacent two-level lumbar discectomy using both surgeon-based evaluation criteria and validated patient-based quality of life instrument (SF-36).

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Lumbar discectomies have documented success rates between 49% and 98% for single-level procedures. However, no prior study has specifically examined the outcome following adjacent two-level lumbar discectomy in a large series of patients.

METHODS

This study analyzed 55 patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up. All patients underwent adjacent two-level lumbar discectomy for radicular pain attributable to nerve root impingement at the corresponding levels. The patients were divided into two diagnostic groups based on their preoperative radiographic studies. Patients with two-level adjacent posterolateral lumbar disc herniations without concomitant osseous degenerative changes at the same levels constituted Group 1 (22 patients). Patients with associated osseous degenerative changes at the same levels made up Group 2 (33 patients). The patients' clinical outcome was assessed using the MacNab classification and SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

The average duration of follow-up was 41 months (range 24-96 months). The group consisted of 35 males and 20 females with average age of 49 years (range 19-82 years). Excellent results were observed in 49%, good in 20%, fair in 15%, and poor in 16%. However, patients in Group 1 have 86% excellent/good results, whereas patients in Group 2 have 57% excellent/good results. Overall, 15% of the patients required reoperation and subsequent spinal fusion. Analysis of the SF-36 scores revealed significant differences based on patient's diagnostic grouping as well. Patients in Group 1 have physical and mental summary scores comparable with age- and sex-adjusted population norms and significantly higher than those in Group 2 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Two-level discectomy is an effective treatment with clinical outcome comparable with single-level discectomy. Patients with posterolateral disc herniations and definitive radiculopathy without osseous degenerative changes at the same levels have better clinical outcome and quality of life scores compared with those patients having concomitant degenerative arthritis at the same levels. Patients having two-level discectomy may be at increased risk of requiring subsequent lumbar fusion compared with those with single-level discectomy.

Therapeutic approaches to low back pain

There has been a great deal of intelligent, insightful, and useful work conducted on understanding how individuals perceive pain; however, there remains a great deal more to be learned about how the complex interplay between pain and an individual's psychological and social experience affects the degree of suffering and disability associated with injury. Clinicians treating low back pain have an obligation to their patients to maintain an understanding of the ever-increasing amount of information available on spinal mechanics, pathophysiology, and diagnostic and treatment strategies. Clinicians have an equally important obligation in understanding the true role that pain is playing in their patients' lives. Clinical care of patients with spinal disorders needs to be directed towards optimizing function. In order to do this, it is essential to obtain the information needed to identify and overcome barriers to improvement, and to provide treatment in a compassionate, coordinated fashion that addresses the multidimensional needs of the individual.

Effectiveness of behavioral graded activity after first-time lumbar disc surgery: short term results of a randomized controlled trial

Behavioral approaches to treating patients following lumbar disc surgery are becoming increasingly popular. The treatment method is based on the assumption that pain and pain disability are not only influenced by somatic pathology, if found, but also by psychological and social factors. A recent study highlighted the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral interventions, as compared to no treatment, for chronic low back patients. However, to the authors' knowledge, there is no randomized controlled trial that evaluates a behavioral program for patients following lumbar disc surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a behavioral graded activity (BGA) program compared to usual care (UC) in physiotherapy following first-time lumbar disc surgery. The BGA program was a patient-tailored intervention based upon operant therapy. The essence of the BGA is to teach patients that it is safe to increase activity levels. The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial. Assessments were carried out before and after treatment by an observer blinded to treatment allocation. Patients suffering residual symptoms restricting their activities of daily living and/or work at the 6 weeks post-surgery consultation by the neurosurgeon were included. The exclusion criteria were: complications during surgery, any relevant underlying pathology, and any contraindication to physiotherapy or the BGA program. Primary outcome measures were the patient's Global Perceived Effect and the functional status. Secondary measures were: fear of movement, viewing pain as extremely threatening, pain, severity of the main complaint, range of motion, and relapses. Physiotherapists in the BGA group received proper training. Between November 1997 and December 1999, 105 patients were randomized; 53 into the UC group and 52 into the BGA group. The unadjusted analysis shows a 19.3% (95% CI: 0.1 to 38.5) statistically significant difference to the advantage of the UC group on Global Perceived Effect. This result, however, is not robust, as the adjusted analyses reveal a difference of 15.7% (95% CI: -3.9 to 35.2), which is not statistically significant. For all other outcome measures there were no statistically significant or clinically relevant differences between the two intervention groups. In general, the physiotherapists' compliance with the BGA program was satisfactory, although not all treatments, either in the BGA or the UC group, were delivered exactly as planned, resulting in less contrast between the two interventions than had been planned for. There was one re-operation in each group. The BGA program was not more effective than UC in patients following first-time lumbar disc surgery. For Global Perceived Effect there was a borderline statistically significant difference to the advantage of the UC group. On functional status and all other outcome measures there were no relevant differences between interventions. The number of re-operations was negligible, indicating that it is safe to exercise after first-time disc surgery.

One-level one-sided lumbar disc surgery with and without microscopic assistance: 1-year outcome in 114 consecutive patients

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes following macrodiscectomy and microsurgery for one-level one-sided lumbar disc excision.

METHODS

The authors prospectively studied 114 consecutive patients who underwent microdiscectomy (Group A, 63 patients [36 men, 27 women]) and macrodiscectomy (Group B, 51 patients [29 men, 22 women]) for one-level unilateral first-time lumbar disc herniation. Microdiscectomy was considered to involve a small incision with removal or opening of the ligamentum flavum, no or minimal bone excision, and use of the operating microscope to remove the disc material. Laminectomy combined with macrodiscectomy was defined as any operation requiring a large opening in or complete removal of the unilateral lamina. Diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. A 1-year follow-up investigation was also conducted. Relief of radicular pain, improvement in muscle power, and changes in sensory and/or reflex abnormality were documented. Assessment of outcome was performed using the modified Stauffer-Coventry criteria. Good or excellent results were demonstrated in 90% of Group A and 89% of Group B patients (p > 0.05). One patient in each group underwent reoperation. There was infection over the fascia in two Group A patients. Mean operative time (+/- standard deviation) was 54 +/- 5.65 minutes in Group A and 25 +/- 7.07 minutes in Group B (p < 0.01). Median length of the incision was 4 and 6 cm in Group A and Group B, respectively (p < 0.05). The length of postoperative inpatient stay was 1 day in both groups (p > 0.05). Patients in the microsurgery-treated group returned to work in less time: 85% of Group A and 58% of Group B patients returned to their work within 4 weeks (p < 0.001). Some patients in each group (15% in Group A and 45% in Group B) needed narcotic analgesic medication at least twice between the 1st month and 1st year after the surgery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Microdiscectomy allows the surgeon good visualization and is less traumatic to the involved tissues. Interestingly, the results of this study indicated that microsurgery does not reduce hospitalization time, nor does it improve the overall surgery-related outcome. The main differences between the two procedures were length of the incision and operative time. The author found that lumbar microdiscectomy allows patients earlier return to work and/or normal life with less reliance on postoperative narcotic analgesic agents.