Reoperation after lumbar disc surgery: Results in 130 cases

Abstract

Out of a series of 1850 cases operated upon for lumbar disc herniation 130 underwent re-operation because of persistent or recurrent symptoms. Re-operation was successful in 62%. The prognosis of re-operation was not related to special clinical symptoms and signs but only to the operative findings. Herniations at other levels and recurrences of lumbar disc herniations had the best results (excellent in 98% respectively 54%), but scar formations alone came out much less satisfactory (only 38% excellent results). Computed tomography (CT) findings were less reliable in distinguishing between disc prolapse and fibrosis than magnet resonance imaging (MR). Therefore MR is the diagnostic method of choice in these conditions, and scar formations alone should be considered a contra-indication for re-operation.

Factors that influence recurrent lumbar disc herniation

“…15 A recurrence rate of 5% to 15% for LDH has been reported. [1][2][3][4][5] Differentiation of recurrent disc herniation from scar formation will allow for improved treatment choices and selection of patients who may benefit from a second surgery. Gadoliniumenhanced MRI is thought to be the best modality to differentiate between these two diagnoses.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5] There have been many studies designed to determine the recurrence of LDH, and various risk factors suggested including disc degeneration, trauma, age, smoking, gender, and obesity. 1,3,6 Radiologically identifiable factors, such as disc degeneration, disc height, and sagittal range of motion have been shown to be related to spinal instability and consequently to rLDH.…”

Surgical treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniation by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

“…Recurrent lumbar disc herniation (RLDH) is a major cause of surgical failure, the incidence of which is reported from 5 to 11%, with an increased incidence as the follow-up period is extended [2,5,13]. The optimal technique for treating RLDH is controversial.…”

Failed Back Surgery Syndrome in Lomber Disc Herniation: The Retrospectıve Analysis of Success Scorings of Epidural Fibrosis and Recurrent Cases in Reoperations

“…Literature contains different views on definition of recurrent DH. Recurrent DH is expressed as the development of DH, on the same level, same part, or on the opposite part (13,14,15). Some other researchers defined different-level herniation as recurrent DH (16).…”