Recurrence of index operative level in lumbar disc herniation a retrospective analysis of 20 cases

Objective To improve the surgical treatment outcomes and decrease post-operative recurrence rate of lumbar disc herniaion.Method Four hundred and thirty-two cases of lumbar disc herniation had been treated surgically, their data were analyzed retrospectively.Results Thirty-eight patients accepted revision operation because of poor result and other complicationsof the 38 patients,20 revision operations resulted from recurrence of the index operation level. Recurrence of the index operation level was owing to failure to complete annulus excision. Of the 20 recurrence cases, with the resected annulus tissue quantity measured by the diameter of remodeled ball shape,in 18 cases the diameters were less than 1cm, one case 1.5cm, and only 1case over 2cm. Conclusion The standard for lumbar disc excision operation should include the quantity of resected annulus decompressed nerve root over 1cm freedom of movement.