Foruria X, Ruiz de Gopegui K, García-Sánchez I, Moreta J, Aguirre U, Martínez-de Los Mozos JL. Cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation: Surgical delay and its relationship with prognosis.
Rev Esp Cir Ortop Traumatol (Engl Ed) 2016;
60:153-9. [PMID:
26948511 DOI:
10.1016/j.recot.2016.01.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2015] [Revised: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether surgical treatment delayed for more than 48 hours in patients with cauda equina syndrome (CES) influenced the clinical outcome.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A retrospective study of 18 patients treated in our hospital from March 2000 to January 2012, after presenting with CES. The pre- and post-operative clinical status was determined: existence of back pain and/or sciatica, sensory disturbance in the perineum, sensory and motor deficits in the lower extremities, and the degree of sphincter incontinence (complete or incomplete CES). A clinical assessment was performed using the Oswestry disability index.
RESULTS
As regards the onset of symptoms, 44% (8 of 18) of patients were treated at an early stage (within 48 hours). None of the patients with complete CES operated in the early stage had urinary incontinence, and also had greater motor recovery. Of the 5 patients with complete CES who underwent delayed surgery, 3 showed residual urinary incontinence. A mean of 12.55 was obtained on the Oswestry disability index scale at the end of follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Although no statistically significant difference was found in our study, we observed greater motor and sphincter recovery in patients who were operated on within 48 hours.
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