The diagnosis and treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption (IDD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six patients with chronic disabling low back pain proved by discography as IDD were treated with disc excision and lumbar interbody fusion, and 8 cases were treated with PLIF, 28 with ALIF. The clinical results were evaluated by pre- and post-operative VAS, and the fusion results were evaluated by X-ray studies of the lumbosacral spine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average period of follow-up was 18 months, ranging from 6 to 26 months. Six patients treated with PLIF basically disappeared low back pain, 2 complained of mild back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Twenty-seven treated with ALIF basically disappeared low back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Fusion rate was 88% in patients who were treated with PLIF, and 97% in patients with ALIF.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Disc excision and interbody fusion is an effective method for the treatment of IDD, but the operation indications should be known well.</p>