Analysis of Homepages Relating to Lumbar Disc Surgery in Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Hospitals / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the operability for disease of lumbar intervertebral disc (LID) of practitioners and pay doctors of orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons by examining their websites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2006 to April 2006, we searched the internet using the key words orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery, with NAVER as the portal site. There were 68 homepages of orthopedic hospitals and physician's offices (OHP) and 27 homepages of neurosurgical hospitals and physician's offices (NHP). Each homepage was visited in order to survey the operability for disease of an intervertebral disc and the number of board of orthopedists and neurosurgeons. Statistical analysis was carried out using a chi-square test. RESULTS: In 45.6% (31/68) of OHP and 85.2% (23/27) of NHP, the operation for LID was performed and there was significant difference (p<0.001). In 16.2% (11/68) of OHP, neurosurgeons employed by OHP performed the operation for spinal disorders. In 29.4% of OHP, the orthopedic surgeon performed the operation for LID. Orthopedists were employed in 51.9% of NHP. NHP were significantly higher than OHP in the cases in whom the orthopedists and neurosurgeons worked together in a single hospital (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: In 70% of OHP, surgery for LID was not performed. A survey about reasons for not performing operation for LID and improvement of that reasons should be carried out by the medical association.