Types of herniated discs and outcomes of lumbar microsurgical discectomy with extended foraminotomy among young Turkish army personnel

Abstract

Objective: The present study is conducted to evaluate the findings of lumbar disc disease among the young adults who are under hard physical conditions in military service. Materials and Methods: Data of 454 lumbar disc hernia patients who underwent microsurgical discectomy have been analyzed retrospectively. Patients’ age, predisposing factors, duration of symptoms, levels of disc hernia, intraoperative findings, Visual Analog Scores (VAS), and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI) data were reviewed from hospital records. Results: All patients had severe radiculopathy. The 78% of the patients were smokers. Nevertheless, all recurrent disc patients (100%, n = 14) were heavy smokers. Majority of the patients (n = 424, 95%) had problem in just one vertebral point and the most common affected vertebral section was L4-L5 (n = 287, 59%). Disc herniation was centrolaterally placed in 94% (n = 425) patients. The mean VAS and ODI scores at final follow-up were 1.52 and 13.25 points with a reduction from a mean preoperative 7.08 and 60.45 points, (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Posterior longitudinal ligaments were intact and mostly centrolateral and subligamentous disc herniation were shown in young adult army personals. The comparable effect of smoking on microvascular circulation at the operation site may be effective on recurrence.