Comparison outcomes of repeat mini-open microdiscectomy versus fusion for recurrent lumbar disc herniations regarding preoperative radiological features-single institute experience

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of two different surgical approaches for patients with recurrent lumbardisc herniation. Furthermore, we retrospectively analysed both groups and compared preoperative radiological features, which maybe useful to select most appropriate surgical technique.Materials and Methods: 36 patients underwent mini-open microdiscectomy and 14 patients underwent microdiscectomy withfusion surgery for recurrent lumbar disc herniation in our institution between 2007-2017. Patient’s demographic characteristicsand clinical results, as well as preoperative radiological features (such as disc height, disc degeneration, facet joint angle on sagittaland axial plane, existence of foraminal stenosis or previous facetectomy, facet joint degeneration, adjacent segment degeneration,sagittal instability, coronal instability) were retrospectively analyzed and compared between two groups.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of postoperative visual analog scaleand Oswestry Disability Index scores. The mean age, mean duration of hospital stay and operation time were significantly lowerin microdiscectomy group (p=0.003, p