A long-term outcome analysis of 984 surgically treated herniated lumbar discs

Abstract

✓ This paper presents a long-term follow-up study of 984 patients operated on for a herniated lumbar disc between 1959 and 1991. It was possible to follow 98% of patients from the time of operation to the time of writing. The mean follow-up period was 10.8 years. The most common presenting complaint was back pain with sciatica in one leg; the most frequent neurological finding was impaired straight-leg raising. Myelography confirmed the diagnosis in 80% of patients, but more recently enhanced computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been the preferred studies. The operative procedure was either hemilaminectomy or laminectomy with × 3.5 magnification and fiberoptic lighting. Herniated lumbar discs involved L4–5 and L5–S1 with equal frequency (47%). The recurrence rate was 6%, one-third of which developed during the 1st year after operation. The complication rate was 4%; there were no intraoperative vascular or intestinal injuries. The Prolo Functional Economic Outcome Rating Scale was us...