Prognostic Factors of Clinical Outcome of Postoperative Cauda Equina Syndrome

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: We studied the clinical results and prognostic factors for the postoperative caudaequinasyndrome (CES). Summary of Literature Review The CES is a rare complication, but its aftereffects are serious. And no satisfactory discussion about its accurate treatment guidelines and prognosis has been provided yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 patients who were diagnosed with a postoperative CES were enrolled from June 2004 to February 2011. Patients were classified into group I with a favorable neurologic prognosis and groupII without neurologic improvement. The medical history, diagnosis, involved segmentand duration till CES was obtained, the duration was performed till second decompression and the clinical symptoms and the outcome of surgical treatment were investigated. RESULTS: Group I contained of 6cases and group 4 of cases.On average were 1.25(0.5-3) hours required for group I and 22(8-38) hours for group II until CES was diagnosed. The time span for the second operation was 7(3-12) hours for group I and 12.25(5-24) hours for group II. Of 6 cases showing motor losswere 4 cases classified as group II at the last follow-up. Of 10 cases with voiding difficulties belonged 4 cases to the group II. Voiding difficulty was continued as clinical symptom in 4 patients of group II after the secondary decompression. CONCLUSION: The less the motor loss and voiding difficulty before the secondary decompression and the faster diagnosis and surgical decompression, the better the prognosis. In particular, as voiding difficulty showed the lowest recovery rate, it is considered to affect prognosis and satisfaction most seriously.