Assessment of the surgical treatment of the lumbar intervertebral disc

ABSTRACT

One hundred and sixty two patients with sciatic pain who had primary excision of a lumbar disc by interlaminar approach over a period of nine years [1987-1995] were studied. Of these, one hundred and forty eight patients were available for comprehensive review. The duration of follow-up ranged from two years to eight years. Patients in the age group 30-49 years were most prone to develop sciatica. At operation L5-S1 level was involved in 51% of cases. There were five negative explorations and six patients needed re-exploration. The functional outcome was good in 85% of the patients, fair in 9% of the patients and poor in 6% of the patients according to Stauffer and Coventry Criteria. Critical analysis of these results were comparable to other reviews where wide laminectomy approach was used