手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的长期疗效及其影响因素

目的:评估腰椎间盘突出症手术治疗的长期疗效,探讨影响手术长期疗效的相关因素。方法:回顾性分析1996年2月～2002年12月在我院采用单纯开窗减压髓核摘除术治疗的125例单节段腰椎间盘突出症患者,记录患者性别、年龄、体重指数(body mass index,BMI)、病程、临床表现、体征、手术减压时椎间盘的突出类型和末次随访时复发性椎间盘突出症的例数。分别记录术前和末次随访时Oswestry伤残指数(Oswestry Disability Index,ODI)及腰痛/下肢根性痛的视觉模拟评分(visual analog scale,VAS)。根据Stauffer-Coventry′s(SC)疗效评定标准评价患者总体疗效。单因素分析患者术前与末次随访时的VAS以及ODI。患者总体疗效作为结果变量,单因素分析年龄、性别、BMI、吸烟、腰扭伤史、病程、术前腰痛VAS评分、术前下肢痛VAS评分、术前ODI、直腿抬高试验(straight-leg raise test,SLR)、肌力、感觉、椎间盘突出节段和类型等14项指标与疗效的关系。用非条件Logistic全回归分析和逐步回归分析来研究结果变量与术前各种指标的关系。结果:随访84～123个月,平均109个月,患者总体疗效优占32%,良占35.2%,可占23.2%,差占9.6%,复发率为8%。术前ODI为(72.23±25.72)%,末次随访时为(15.64±17.52)%,与术前比较有显著性差异(P<0.05)。腰痛VAS评分术前为5.44±3.43分,末次随访时为2.12±2.32分;下肢痛VAS评分术前为7.34±3.72分,末次随访时为1.42±2.74分;末次随访时与术前比较均有显著性差异(P<0.05)。全回归分析发现腰扭伤史、感觉减退是总体疗效不佳的相关因素,而非包含型突出类型是总体疗效佳的相关因素。逐步回归分析发现有4个有统计学意义的相关因素,其比值比(OR)及95%可信区间分别为:腰扭伤史(OR=6.50;95%CI 2.21-19.10)、吸烟(OR=4.48;95%CI 1.51-13.34)、感觉(OR=9.01;95%CI 1.75-46.46)、突出类型(OR=0.027;95%CI 0.005-0.145)。结论:手术治疗可以明显改善腰椎间盘突出症患者的腰痛、下肢痛和ODI。腰扭伤史、吸烟史、术前感觉和突出类型是影响腰椎间盘突出症手术长期疗效的相关因素。     

Pinprick and Light Touch Are Adequate to Establish Sensory Dysfunction in Patients with Lumbar Radicular Pain and Disc Herniation

BackgroundThe frequency with which sensory disturbances occur in patients with radicular leg pain and disc herniation is not well known, and the efficacy of tests to identify such changes are not firmly established. The presence of sensory disturbances is a key sign of nerve root involvement and may contribute to the diagnosis of a lumbar disc herniation, identify patients for referral to spinal imaging and surgery, and improve disease classification.Questions/purposesIn this study, we sought: (1) to determine the frequency with which abnormal sensory findings occur in patients with lumbar disc herniation–related radicular pain, using a standard neurological sensory examination; (2) to determine what particular standard sensory test or combination of tests is most effective in establishing sensory dysfunction; and (3) to determine whether a more detailed in-depth sensory examination results in more patients being identified as having abnormal sensory findings.MethodsBetween October 2013 and April 2016, 115 patients aged 18 to 65 years referred to secondary health care with radicular leg pain and disc herniation were considered potentially eligible for inclusion in the study. Based on these inclusion criteria, 79% (91) were found eligible. Ten percent (11) were excluded because of other illness that interfered with the study purpose, 3% (3) because of cauda equina syndrome, 2% (2) because of spinal stenosis, 2% (2) because of prior surgery at the same disc level, and 2% (2) because of poor Norwegian language skills. Three percent (4) of the patients did not want to participate in the study. Of the 91 eligible patients, 56% (51) consented to undergo a comprehensive clinical examination and were used for analysis here. The sample for the purposes of the present study was predetermined at 50. These patients were first examined by a standard procedure, including sensory assessment of light touch, pinprick, vibration, and warmth and cold over the back and legs. Second, an in-depth semiquantitative sensory testing procedure was performed in the main pain area to assess sensory dysfunction and improve the detection of potential positive sensory signs, or sensory gain of function more precisely. Sensory loss was defined as sensations experienced as distinctly reduced in the painful side compared with the contralateral reference side. In contrast, sensory gain was defined as sensations experienced as abnormally strong, unpleasant, or painful and distinctly stronger than the contralateral side. Ambiguous test results were coded as a normal response to avoid inflating the findings. The proportions of abnormal findings were calculated for each sensory modality and for all combinations of the standard examination tests.ResultsThe standard examination identified at least one abnormal finding in 88% (45 of 51) of patients. Sensory loss was present in 80% (41), while sensory gain was present in 35% (18). The combination of pinprick and light touch identified all patients who were classified as having abnormal findings by the full standard examination. The semiquantitative procedure identified an additional three patients with an abnormal finding.ConclusionWe suggest that the combination of pinprick and light touch assessment is an adequate minimal approach for diagnostic and classification purposes in patients with lumbar radicular pain.Level of EvidenceLevel I, diagnostic study.     

Predictors of outcome after decompressive lumbar surgery and instrumented posterolateral fusion

There has been no agreement among different authors on guidelines to specify the situations in which arthrodesis is justified in terms of results, risks and complications. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative predictors of outcome after decompressive lumbar surgery and instrumented posterolateral fusion. A prospective observational study design was performed on 203 consecutive patients. Potential preoperative predictors of outcome included sociodemographic factors as well as variables pertaining to the preoperative clinical situation, diagnosis, expectations and surgery. Separate multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between selected predictors and outcome variables, defined as the improvement after 1 year on the visual analog scale (VAS) for back pain, VAS for leg pain, physical component scores (PCS) of SF-36 and Oswestry disability index (ODI). Follow-up was available for 184 patients (90.6%). Patients with higher educational level and optimistic preoperative expectations had a more favourable postoperative leg pain (VAS) and ODI. Smokers had less leg pain relief. Patients with better mental component score (emotional health) had greater ODI improvement. Less preoperative walking capacity predicted more leg pain relief. Patients with disc herniation had greater relief from back pain and more PCS and ODI improvement. More severe lumbar pain was predictive of less improvement on ODI and PCS. Age, sex, body mass index, analgesic use, surgeon, self-rated health, the number of decompressed levels and the length of fusion had no association with outcome. This study concludes that a higher educational level, optimistic expectations for improvement, the diagnosis of “disc herniation”, less walking capacity and good emotional health may significantly improve clinical outcome. Smoking and more severe lumbar pain are predictors of worse results.     

Clinical features of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation based on the radiographic location of the dorsal root ganglion

STUDY DESIGN: The relations between the location of the dorsal root ganglion and pre- and postoperative symptoms were reviewed retrospectively in 27 patients who underwent radiculography and posterior discectomy. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical features and surgical outcome of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation based on the location of dorsal root ganglion. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The location of dorsal root ganglia has been reported to be correlated with a variety of radicular symptoms. Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation has several specific clinical features, one of which is severe radicular pain. However, there is no report in the literature on the association between the location of the dorsal root ganglia and the severity of the symptoms of extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The radiographic location of the dorsal root ganglion of each compressed nerve root was determined by preoperative direct radiculograms. All patients were classified into the following three groups according to the location of dorsal root ganglion: intraspinal, intraforaminal, and extraforaminal. The incidences of these locations were 5 of 27 (18.5%), 15 of 27 (55.5%), and 7 of 27 (25.9%), respectively. The relation between the location of the dorsal root ganglion and clinical parameters such as the level of the compressed nerve root, the degree of limitation on straight leg raising test, the severity of the pre- and postoperative subjective symptoms (leg pain, low back pain, and walking capacity), clinical signs (sensory and motor disturbance), and the recovery rate were investigated. RESULTS: The degree of limitation on the straight leg raising test in the extraforaminal group tended to be low, compared with that in the intraspinal and intraforaminal groups. Low back pain in the extraforaminal group was more severe than that in the intraspinal and intraforaminal groups. Preoperative leg pain in the extraforaminal group was significantly more severe that that in the intraspinal group, and the walking capacity in the extraforaminal group tended to be lower than that in the intraspinal and intraforaminal groups. No significant differences were found between the location of dorsal root ganglion and the preoperative sensory or motor disturbance and surgical outcomes. CONCLUSION: The location of the dorsal root ganglion might influence the severity of radicular symptoms (pain and walking distance tolerance) in patients with extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation.     

腰椎间盘间孔突出症

腰椎间盘间孔突出症在腰椎间盘突出症中并非少见，诊断主要依据以下四点：（１）腿部症状严重；（２）典型神经障碍；（３）椎间手术后证实；（４）ＣＴ检查。本文详细讨论了该病的论断的技巧和效果。     

Lumbar spinal stenosis: results of surgical treatment.

One hundred forty patients with surgically treated lumbar stenosis were evaluated. There were 70 men and 70 women with an average age of 63 years. The average duration of preoperative leg pain and/or claudication symptoms was 16 months. The average follow-up time was 42 months (range, 12-116 months). Average leg pain improvement was 82%, and average back pain improvement was 71%. Thirteen patients (9%) had no leg improvement, 15 (11%) between 25-74% improvement, and 112 (80%), 75% or greater improvement. Ninety-four patients (67%) had 75% or greater back pain improvement, 29 patients (21%) between 25-74% back pain improvement, and 17 patients (12%) no back pain improvement. Factors significantly correlated with poorer outcome included female sex, the presence of compensation or litigation factors, no relief of symptoms from prior surgical procedures, a diagnostic nerve root block preoperatively, and an objective postoperative sensory deficit.     

不典型腰椎间盘突出马尾综合征的误诊分析

目的:对继发于腰椎间盘突出的马尾综合征的误诊原因进行分析。方法:对本院收治的4例继发于腰椎间盘突出的马尾综合征的误诊病例的症状、体征、影像学表现、手术、随访结果进行研究分析。结果:本组手术无手术并发症,但术后患者的症状恢复较慢,甚至随访时仍有部分症状残留。结论:造成腰椎问盘突出马尾综合征误诊的主要原因为发病时缺少典型的腰腿痛症状以及缺少对会阴部感觉的详细检查,对于继发椎间盘突出的马尾综合征,只要通过详细的询问病史和体格检查,结合CT、MRI等影像学检查,早期诊断是不困难的。一旦诊断,就应立即手术。延迟手术明显影响疗效,甚至残留永久性的神经损害。     

The effect of epidural free fat graft on the outcome of lumbar disc surgery

Numerous materials have been used to prevent epidural scar tissue after lumbar disc surgery. Free fat grafts are common both experimentally and clinically, but there is some doubt about their protection against fibrosis, and some complications have been reported. In this prospective study, the usefulness of free fat grafts during lumbar disc surgery was evaluated. Ninety-nine patients who had undergone operation due to lumbar disc herniation were divided in two groups: those with implantation of free fat grafts (group A) and those without (group B). Outcome was evaluated at a mean of 2.6 years postoperatively according to the following criteria: visual analog scale for back and leg pain, Hannover Questionnaire on activities of daily living, reflex findings, sensory and motor deficits, consumption of analgesics, walking distance, straight leg raising test, and clinical examination. The outcome variables showed no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). This study suggests that the use of free fat grafts during lumbar disc surgery was clinically ineffective.     

Intradural lumbar disc herniation—Is it predictable preoperatively? A report of two cases

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Intradural disc herniations are thought to be rare events, and there have been relatively few literature reports of intradural disc herniations available with regard to magnetic resonance imaging findings. PURPOSE: The authors describe two patients with intradural lumbar disc herniations, one with and one without preoperative diagnosis, who had different postoperative outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Case study METHODS: The first patient underwent an extended L3 subtotal laminectomy followed by bilateral medial facetectomy and foraminotomy at L3-L4. A durotomy uncovered large disc fragments comprised of friable disc materials and end plates, after no clear disc herniation was found in the epidural space. The second patient underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion after a preoperative diagnosis of intradural disc herniation. RESULTS: The first patient experienced a marked reduction of pain and progressive recovery of sensory disturbance, but neurologic examination showed right foot drop postoperatively. Two years after surgery, she can not walk without a cane because the neurologic deficit of the right ankle has shown no improvement. Two days after surgery, the second patient was allowed to ambulate with a lumbar orthosis. Neurologic examination showed no motor deficit. Twenty-one months after surgery, the patient reports minimal back pain when sitting on a chair for prolonged periods of time. CONCLUSION: Our cases highlight the importance of preoperative diagnosis in the treatment of intradural lumbar disc herniations. The potential presence of an intradural disc herniation must always be considered preoperatively on a patient whose magnetic resonance imaging study demonstrates the "hawk-beak sign" on axial imaging as well as abrupt loss of continuity of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL). This association results in an adequate surgical approach, thereby reducing the chance of postoperative neurologic deficit. Finally, anterior lumbar interbody fusion can be a reasonable alternative in the treatment of intradural lumbar disc herniations.     

Characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery for axial back pain in the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

BACKGROUND CONTEXTThe indications for surgical intervention of axial back pain without leg pain for degenerative lumbar disorders have been limited in the literature, as most study designs allow some degree of leg symptoms in the inclusion criteria.PURPOSETo determine the outcome of surgery (decompression only vs. fusion) for pure axial back pain without leg pain.STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGProspectively collected data in the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).PATIENT SAMPLEPatients with pure axial back pain without leg pain underwent lumbar spine surgery for primary diagnoses of lumbar disc herniation, lumbar stenosis, and isthmic or degenerative spondylolisthesis ≤ grade II.OUTCOME MEASURESMinimally clinically important difference (MCID) for back pain, Numeric Rating Scale of back pain, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), MCID of PROMIS-PF, and patient satisfaction on the North American Spine Surgery Patient Satisfaction Index were collected at 90 days, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery.METHODSLog-Poisson generalized estimating equation models were constructed with patient-reported outcomes as the independent variable, reporting adjusted risk ratios (RR_adj).RESULTSOf the 388 patients at 90 days, multi-level versus single level lumbar surgery decreased the likelihood of obtaining a MCID in back pain by 15% (RR_adj=0.85, p=.038). For every one-unit increase in preoperative back pain, the likelihood for a favorable outcome increased by 8% (RR_adj=1.08, p<.001). Of the 326 patients at 1 year, symptom duration > 1 year decreased the likelihood of a MCID in back pain by 16% (RR_adj=0.84, p=.041). The probability of obtaining a MCID in back pain increased by 9% (RR_adj=1.09, p<.001) for every 1-unit increase in baseline back pain score and by 14% for fusions versus decompression alone (RR_adj=1.14, p=.0362). Of the 283 patients at 2 years, the likelihood of obtaining MCID in back pain decreased by 30% for patients with depression (RR_adj=0.70, p<.001) and increased by 8% with every one-unit increase in baseline back pain score (RR_adj=1.08, p<.001).CONCLUSIONSOnly the severity of preoperative back pain was associated with improvement in MCID in back pain at all time points, suggesting that surgery should be considered for selected patients with severe axial pain without leg pain. Fusion surgery versus decompression alone was associated with improved patient-reported outcomes at 1 year only, but not at the other time points.     

腰椎间盘突出症术后腰椎再手术的疗效及其影响因素分析

目的:分析腰椎间盘突出症术后腰椎再手术的临床效果及其影响因素。方法:回顾性分析我科2005年1月～2009年11月收治的94例腰椎间盘突出症术后腰椎再手术患者的临床资料。根据病史、症状、体征及影像学检查,腰椎再手术的原因包括腰椎间盘突出复发49例(52.1%),腰椎管狭窄症17例(18.1%),初次手术减压不彻底16例(17.0%),邻近节段病变7例(7.4%),其他节段新发腰椎间盘突出5例(5.3%)。再手术前,腰椎JOA评分为15.5±5.6分,腰痛VAS评分为4.5±1.6分,下肢痛VAS评分为7.1±1.9分。再手术均采用后路减压、椎间盘切除、椎弓根螺钉内固定、横突或椎体间植骨融合术。对再手术患者进行随访,并根据VAS、JOA评分及患者主观满意度评价再次手术效果。采用多因素非条件Logistic回归,分析患者性别、年龄、吸烟、既往手术史、既往手术方式、上次术后症状缓解时间、本次病程、再手术前神经损害、本次手术融合节段等变量对手术效果的影响。结果:再手术时间1.6～4.5h,平均2.4h;术中出血量200～1500ml,平均538ml。术中无神经损伤发生;术后发生脑脊液漏7例,切口感染1例,经对症处理均治愈。再手术后随访2～6.5年,平均4.2年。末次随访时,总体优良率78.7%,JOA评分为24.0±6.2分,腰痛VAS评分为1.3±0.9分,下肢痛VAS评分为0.9±1.8分,与术前比较差异均有显著性(P<0.001)。再手术前神经损害、本次病程对手术效果的影响有统计学意义(P<0.05),性别、年龄、吸烟、手术次数、上次术后症状缓解时间、既往手术方式、本次手术减压融合的节段对手术效果的影响无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:腰椎间盘突出症术后腰椎再手术依然能够获得较好的临床效果。再手术前神经损害、本次病程是影响手术效果的因素。     

腰椎间盘源性疼痛机理的临床研究

目的 :分析腰椎间盘突出症病人的临床症状、体征与椎间盘和神经根大体病理形态改变的关系 ,临床症状、体征和椎间盘突出类型与髓核中炎症介质 (磷脂酶A2 )水平的关系以及临床症状、体征和椎间盘突出类型与脑脊液 (以下简称CSF)中神经肽类递质变化的关系。从临床角度探讨腰椎间盘突出症疼痛机理。材料与方法 :分析161例腰椎间盘突出病人的髓核突出类型及神经根病理形态改变与腰腿痛程度的关系 ;分析 2 0例腰椎间盘髓核组织中磷脂酶A2 活性水平与神经根性疼痛程度的关系 ;3 1例腰椎间盘突出症病人脑脊液中P物质和降钙素基因相关肽含量与神经根性疼痛程度进行比较。结果 :①腰椎间盘的膨出、突出、脱出和脱出游离各组之间无疼痛程度的统计学显著差异。而神经根呈急性炎症反应的病人中重度疼痛高达 80 % (P <0 .0 1)。②腰椎间盘突出症病人椎间盘髓核中磷脂酶A2 活性显著高于自身血液中和健康人椎间盘髓核中磷脂酶A2 活性水平 ,腰椎间盘突出症病人的腰腿痛程度与其髓核中磷脂酶A2 活性明显相关。③腰痛病人脑脊液中P物质和降钙素基因相关肽水平高于正常对照组 ,并与疼痛等级有关。结论 :①腰椎间盘突出物的病理形态和对神经根的机械压迫与其引起的临床疼痛症状和神经根体征无明确关系 ,而神经根性疼痛与局部     

Lumbar disc replacement: preliminary results with ProDisc II after a minimum follow-up period of 1 year

Total disc replacement has the potential to replace fusion as the gold standard surgical treatment of degenerative disc disease. Potential advantages of disc replacement over fusion include avoidance of pseudarthrosis, postoperative orthoses, and junctional degeneration. After observing satisfactory clinical results at 7-11 years' follow-up with the ProDisc first-generation implant, a second-generation prosthesis was designed. This study is a prospective analysis of the early results of total disc replacement with the ProDisc II total disc prosthesis. Fifty-three patients had single-level or multilevel disc replacement and were evaluated clinically and radiographically preoperatively and at mean 1.4-year follow-up. There were clinically and statistically significant improvements in back and leg pain Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry disability scores that were maintained at final follow-up. The clinical results of patients with single- and multilevel surgery were equivalent. Satisfactory results were achieved in 90% of patients who had previous lumbar surgery. Complications occurred in 9% of patients and included vertebral body fracture, transient radicular pain, implant malposition, and transient retrograde ejaculation. Three patients (6%) required reoperation to address complications. No mechanical failure of the implants or loosening was observed, and the prostheses retained motion. Randomized, prospective, long-term studies will be necessary to compare the effectiveness of arthrodesis with total disc replacement.     

Neurologic signs in lumbar disc herniation: Preoperative affliction and postoperative recovery in 150 cases

We studied prospectively 165 consecutive patients operated on for lumbar disc herniations. Neurologic examination was performed preoperatively and at 4, 12, and 24 months postoperatively according to a protocol. Preoperatively 69% of the patients showed a neurological disturbance corresponding to the level of disc herniation and 62% a corresponding sensory deficit. Recovery of the neurological deficit was seen in half of the cases at 2 years postoperatively, the main part of this improvement occurred within 4 months after the operation. Neurologic recovery correlated to a good surgical outcome, and a short history of disc herniation prior to the operation correlated to postoperative neurologic improvement. the straight leg raising test correlated to preoperative neurologic deficit, but not to postoperative recovery. Motor power disturbance of the extensor hallucis longus muscle recovered in more patients than reflex disturbances. Sensory disturbances had the lowest recovery rate. Our study demonstrates a correlation between routine postoperative neurologic findings and the patient's self-assessed outcome of surgery.     

The predictive value of pain drawings in lumbar spinal fusion surgery

Background contextPain drawings have been used extensively in spine surgery. It has been associated with inferior outcome after disc and stenosis surgery. Results regarding the predictive value in fusion surgery have been conflicting.PurposeTo evaluate the predictive value of pain drawings in relation to outcome after lumbar spinal fusion. To investigate if there are differences between spondylolisthesis patients and patients with degenerative disease as well as between patients with or without radicular pain.Study designProspective clinical cohort with a minimum of 1-year follow-up.Patient sampleOne hundred thirty-five patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion. Fifty-seven men and 78 women, mean age 44 years (range 21–59 years).Outcome measuresDallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ), Low Back Pain Rating Scale (LBPRS) pain index and patient satisfaction. Minimal clinical important difference was defined for the LBPRS score.MethodsPain drawings were classified, using the visual inspection method, as organic or nonorganic and correlated to outcomes. Multivariate adjustment for several possible confounding variables was done using logistic regression analysis.ResultsThirty-three percent of the drawings were classified as nonorganic. Nonorganic drawings were associated with significantly higher DPQ and LBPRS scores preoperatively and at follow-up. Differences between organic and nonorganic drawings were larger in spondylolisthesis patients than in patients with degenerative disorders. Nonorganic pain drawings were associated with poorer outcome in patients with low back pain and radicular symptoms, however, not in patients without radicular symptoms. A nonorganic pain drawing predicted negative patient satisfaction with odds ratio (OR) 3.01 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14–8.55, p=.027) but had no significant predictive value with respect to improvement in the LBPRS pain index OR 1.92 (95% CI: 0.82–4.47, p=.132).ConclusionsA nonorganic pain drawing was a significant risk factor for inferior outcome after spinal fusion surgery. The predictive value did not allow for patient selection.     

人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎问盘突出症的近期临床疗效观察

目的探讨人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的近期临床应用效果。方法自2004年3月~2004年5月,笔者采用人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症25例,23例经标准后侧入路单枚PDN植入,1例经横突间入路单枚PDN植入,1例经腹膜后入路单枚PDN植入。术后随访6~18个月。结果1例术后1周出现剧烈腰痛,摄片示PDN位置好,给予卧床、镇痛、脱水治疗后缓解;1例术后4周出现腰腿痛,摄片示PDN部分移位于椎管,二次手术取出PDN行融合术后症状缓解;1例术后1个月PDN部分塌陷入椎体内,偶有腰痛,对症治疗,症状缓解。X线片复查手术后椎间隙高度平均增加3.34mm。腰椎各方活动基本正常,根据Oswestry下腰痛和功能不利评分,临床成功率84%,无感染等并发症。结论人工髓核置换术治疗腰椎间盘突出症在改善症状的同时能够增加椎间高度,保留腰椎的正常运动功能,为腰椎间盘突出症的手术治疗提供了一种新方法。     

When should conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation be ceased and surgery considered?

Different authors recommend different time spans for conservative treatment before considering surgery in patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the time of onset of symptoms such as pain, sensory deficit, and motor deficit in a surgically treated group in comparison to outcome after surgery in order to define a time threshold when surgical results deteriorate and operation should therefore be considered. General data, symptoms, signs, and neurological findings of 219 patients were preoperatively recorded. The outcome was evaluated according to the Prolo scale after a mean of 9.9 months. In the statistical workup, we calculated the duration of symptoms, sensory deficits, and motor deficit as continuous variables. Additionally, the population was divided into three groups of duration of symptoms, sensory deficit, or motor deficit for ≤30 days, 30–60 days, and >60 days. Statistically significant predictors for unfavourable outcome were, for example, a longer duration of preoperative pain and motor and sensory deficit. Patients suffering for more than 60 days from disc herniation were found to have statistically worse outcome than patients suffering for 60 days or less. Findings were similar for the different time groups concerning the duration of sensory deficit but not for duration of motor deficit. The overall outcome seems to be better when patients are operated on for lumbar disc herniations within 2 months after onset of symptoms and sensory deficits. Due to these findings, we recommend conservative treatment up to 2 months and, if conservative management does not succeed, consideration of surgery. Electronic Publication     

Far-lateral disc herniations: the results of conservative management

The far-lateral herniated lumbar disc has become increasingly recognized as a cause for low back pain and lumbar radiculopathy as well as for "failed back syndrome" in certain improperly diagnosed cases. Several authors have reported that the majority of patients show poor response to conservative measures. To better understand the natural history, we performed a retrospective review of all lumbar herniated discs during a 3-year period, collecting 16 patients with 17 far-lateral disc herniations. All displayed radicular pain in the distribution of the root exiting at the same level as the herniated disc, with or without associated back pain. Twelve of the 17 disc herniations responded to conservative measures and had complete resolution of their radicular pain at follow-up. Also, at long-term follow-up, essentially all patients had experienced satisfactory subjective resolution of their weakness or sensory complaints. Five patients required surgery because of intractable pain despite conservative measures. Although our series for far-lateral disc herniations is small, we found that conservative measures do afford a relatively high nonoperative success rate of approximately 71%. This is in contrast to earlier implied or stated opinions indicating a low rate of successful nonoperative management as low as 10% in one series.     

Risk factors for outcome and complications of dorsal foraminotomy in cervical disc herniation

BACKGROUND: Dorsal foraminotomy is a standard operative procedure for lateral cervical disc herniation. Factors associated with surgical complications and clinical outcome in dorsal foraminotomy of cervical disc herniation were evaluated in a retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Thirty-nine patients were operated upon for unilateral, monosegmental, mediolateral cervical disc herniation (+/- associated spondylosis) from 1997 to 1999. Preoperative radiologic imaging and surgical reports were analyzed. Motor disfunction, neck irritation, and radicular pain were evaluated. Outcome was ranked according to modified Odom's criteria at 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Six weeks after injury 7 of 39 patients (18%) showed neck irritation. No new neurologic deficit was seen. All patients with preoperative paresis improved; two had early relapses of a medial soft disc prolapse (2/39). Residual radicular pain was seen in 3 of 39 patients (8%) within 30 days postoperatively, necessitating surgical revision. Factors of surgical failure were associated spondylosis (2/3) and residual mediolateral disc protrusion (1/3). In one patient with associated spondylosis, local pain due to a symptomatic fracture of the lateral process of D1 resolved after revision. Duration of preoperative radicular pain was identified as a risk factor for unfavorable outcome. CONCLUSION: In lateral cervical disc herniation, associated spondylosis or medial disc protrusion poses a significant risk of surgical failure and complications of dorsal foraminotomy. Reducing the radicular failure rate by enlarging the bony decompression may lead to local failure. In well-selected patients with a lateral cervical free disc fragment, dorsolateral foraminotomy is successful and safe.     

椎间孔镜下髓核摘除术治疗椎间盘退变性腰腿痛

目的探讨椎间孔侧路镜下髓核摘除术治疗腰椎间盘退变性腰腿痛的临床效果。方法2010-08-2011-11,我科对31例经保守治疗无效的腰椎间盘退变性腰腿痛患者实施了椎间孔侧路镜下髓核摘除微创手术。结果 YESS法穿刺15个间盘,TESSYS法穿刺19个间盘。随访3～6个月,平均4.2个月,失访2例。术前术后腰腿痛VAS评分有统计学意义(P<0.01)。术后3个月疗效MacNab评定:优17例,良8例,可3例,差1例,优良率86.2%。结论椎间孔镜技术治疗腰椎间盘退变性腰腿痛具有更微创、效果良好、恢复快优点,掌握好病例选择是关键。