Journal List > J Korean Orthop Assoc > v.52(5) > 1013551

Ha, Shim, Kim, Oh, and Kim: Relative Risk of Operation between Lumbar Far Lateral Disc Herniation and Posterolateral Disc Herniation: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose

We reported relative risk of operation between patients who were diagnosed with lumbar far lateral disc herniation and posterolateral disc herniation after transforaminal epidural block.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on 295 patients (131 male and 164 female) who underwent transforaminal epidural block for unilateral radiculopathy caused by lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Among these 295 patients, 34 patients were diagnosed with far lateral disc herniation and 261 patients with posterolateral disc herniation. The median follow-up period was 23.9 months, with an average age of 55.7 years.

Results

Fifty-one patients underwent surgical treatment. Among them, 38 patients had posterolateral disc herniation and 13 patients had far lateral disc herniation. Patients with far lateral disc herniation, when compared with posterolateral disc herniation, had a relative risk of operation of 2.67 (1.59-4.48, 95% confidence interval) with statistical significance (p=0.0002). At the final follow-up, the average visual analogue scale (VAS) score for radicular pain in the surgical and non-surgical groups was 0.69 and 1.50, respectively; the average Korean-Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (K-ODI) score was 11.7 and 9.6, respectively. The difference of average VAS score showed a statistical significance (p=0.035), however, that of K-ODI showed no statistical significance (p=0.266).

Conclusion

In the case of far lateral disc herniation, the relative risk of surgery after transforaminal epidural block was 2.67, which is higher than that of posterolateral disc herniation. Therefore, we should consider surgical treatment more aggressively.

Figures and Tables

Figure 1

Results of retrospective cohort. MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; P/ex, physical exam; Op +, operation (+); Op –, operation (–).

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Table 1

Demographic Data of Patients

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Values are presented as number only or mean only.

Table 2

Results of Each Group

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Values are presented as number only, mean only, or number (%).

Table 3

Relative Risk of Operation for far Lateral Disc Herniation Patients

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CI, confidence interval; NNT, number needed to treat.

Table 4

Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Lumbar Far Lateral Disc Herniation Patients

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Values are presented as mean±standard deviation. VAS, visual analogue scale; K-ODI, Korean-Oswestry Disability Questionnaire.

Notes

This research was supported by grant from Wonkwang University, 2017.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The authors have nothing to disclose.

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