ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of the far lateral and the paramedian disc herniations. METHODS: The 88 patients who underwent an operation for lumbar disc herniations were reviewed. Visual analogue scale of leg and back pain, occurrence of sensory dysesthesia and motor deficit before and after operations were used to compare the far lateral with the paramedian disc herniations. RESULTS: Statistically, the far lateral herniations had more severe radicular leg pain and showed more frequent occurrence of sensory dysesthesia than paramedian herniations before operation (p0.05). CONCLUSION: Preoperatively, the far lateral herniations had more severe radicular leg pain and frequent occurrence of sensory dysesthesia. Postoperatively, the sensory dysesthesia was less improved and back pain was more severe in the far lateral herniations.