• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.599-603
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• 2000

Objectives : In lumbar spine surgery it is observed that the ligamentum flavum(LF) is bilayered, and the inner layers can be left in situ to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries. The purposes of this study are to investigate ultrastructural differences between the inner and outer layer of lumbar LF by electron microscopic examination, and to see whether these differences are, if present, more prominent in chronic degenerative lumbar spinal disorders as compared with acute lumbar disc diseases. Methods : Biopsy specimens of LF were obtained from nine patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery, five of them for degenerative spinal stenosis and four for acute disc herniation. During the surgery the outer layers of LF were carefully dissected from the inner layer, and four pieces($1{\times}1{\times}1-mm$) of biopsy samples were made from each layer. These were examined with electron microscope for the morphologies and the contents of the elastic and the collagen fibers. Results : The outer layer of LF showed elastic fiber degeneration as evidenced and decreased fiber content, while the inner layer was relatively preserved in both cases of degenerative spinal stenosis and acute disc herniation. The ultrastructural changes of the layers were more evident in the outer layer. Conclusion : With these observations the authors believe that the LF degeneration may occur mainly in the outer layer, and that this fact may aid in making the rationale for using the inner layer as physiologic barrier to prevent peridural adhesion in open lumbar disc surgeries.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2005

Objective : Upper lumbar disc herniation is rare disease, compared with lower. The lamina of this high level lumbar vertebra is narrower than that of low level, and this have taken surgeon into important consideration for surgical methods because partial removal of lamina for discectomy weakens the base of the articular process and may result in fracture. The authors an accurate preoperative diagnosis that enables the surgeon to operative approach for preserving the facet joint. Methods : Thirteen patients with upper lumbar disc herniation have underone surgical procedure by midline approach for removal of ruptured disc fragment and paraspinal approach for removal of residual disc materials simultaneously without instrumentation. All patients who underwent surgery were analyzed and long-term follow-up was conducted. Results : At a mean follow-up of 24months, there were complete resolution of presenting radiating leg pain in 85% of the patients, 7.5% were left with minimal residual discomfort, and 7.5% derived little or no benefit from surgery. The follow-up radiologic findings of all patients shows that lamina and facet joint have preserved safely and no instability. Conclusion : Simultaneously, paraspinal with midline approach provides highly satisfactory operating methods by simplifying exposure and greatly limiting the risk of complications. This provides the basis for a planned surgical approach in which destruction of the facet joint can be avoided.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.428-431
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• 1982

A vascular complication caused by lumbar disc surgery is not infrequent till recently after the first report by Linton & White in 1945. In October 1980, we experienced one case of arteriovenous fistula following lumbar disc surgery in the department of thoracic surgery, CAFGH. The A-V fistula was situated between left common iliac artery and vein, which was confirmed by angiography easily. The A-V fistula was corrected surgically by Taylor`s method successfully without complication.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.282-286
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• 2010

Objective : The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lumbar disc herniation surgery for low back pain on the erectile functioning. Methods : Thirty-eight patients, with age ranging from 22 to 56 years, who had presented with pain due to herniated lumbar discs were included in the study. International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) Short Form questionnaire was used to evaluate the erectile functioning. Patient visits on the 1st week,1st month and 3rd month postoperatively were analyzed. Pain scores were also noted together with side effects and the complications of the surgery. Results : Of the 38 patients, 18 patients had reported erectile dysfunction; 10 patients mild and 8 patients moderate erectile dysfunction. Twenty patients did not report erectile problems. The herniation levels mostly were L5-S1 in 12 (31.6%). Overall, erectile dysfunction rates have improved in 31.7% of those previously with erectile dysfunction in a 3 month period after the surgery. Best results were obtained in those patients with mild erectile dysfunction preoperatively. Conclusion : Mild erectile dysfunction together with radiculopathy tends to improve after lumbosacral disc surgery. Moderate and severe erectile dysfunction may be related to a more severe nerve injury or to vascular and/or psychiatric factors. An evaluation of erectile functioning should routinely be performed in patients with lumbosacral disc disease both for data accumulation and for medico legal causes since the documentation of the correlation between erectile dysfunction and lumbosacral disc disease is still lacking.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.5
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• pp.478-484
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• 2016

Objective : To assess the clinical and radiological factors as predictors for successful outcomes in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) treatment. Methods : Two groups of patients with single level LDH (L4-5) requiring treatment were retrospectively studied. The surgery group (SG) included 34 patients, and 30 patients who initially refused the surgery were included in the nerve blocks group (NG). A visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg and back pain and motor deficit were initially evaluated before procedures, and repeated at 1, 6, and 12 months. Radiological factors including the disc herniation length, disc herniation area, canal length-occupying ratio, and canal area-occupying ratio were measured and compared. Predicting factors of successful outcomes were determined with multivariate logistic regression analysis after the optimal cut off values were established with a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results : There was no significant demographic difference between two groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with radiological and clinical (12 months follow-up) data revealed that the high disc herniation length with cutoff value 6.31 mm [odds ratio (OR) 2.35; confidence interval (CI) 1.21-3.98] was a predictor of successful outcomes of leg pain relief in the SG. The low disc herniation length with cutoff value 6.23 mm (OR 0.05; CI 0.003-0.89) and high baseline VAS leg (OR 12.63; CI 1.64-97.45) were identified as predictors of successful outcomes of leg pain relief in the NG. Conclusion : The patients with the disc herniation length larger than 6.31 mm showed successful outcomes with surgery whereas the patients with the disc herniation length less than 6.23 mm showed successful outcomes with nerve block. These results could be considered as a radiological criteria in choosing optimal treatment options for LDH.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.196-201
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• 2005

Objective : Among upper lumbar disc herniations, L1-2 disc herniations are especially rare. We present the specific clinical features of L1-2 disc herniation and compared results of different surgical options. Methods : The authors undertook a retrospective single institution review of the patients who underwent surgery for L1-2 disc herniation. Thirty patients who underwent surgery for isolated L1-2 disc herniations were included. Results : Buttock pain was more frequent than anterior or anterolateral thigh pain. Standing and/or walking intolerance was more common than sitting intolerance. The straight leg raising test was positive only in 15 patients [50%]. Iliopsoas weakness was more frequent than quadriceps weakness. Percutaneous discectomy group demonstrated worse outcome than laminectomy group or lateral retroperitoneal approach group. Conclusion : Standing and/or walking intolerance, positive femoral nerve stretch test, and iliopsoas weakness can be useful clues to the diagnosis of L1-2 disc herniation. Posterior approach using partial laminectomy and medial facetectomy or minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal approach seems like a better surgical option for L1-2 disc herniation than percutaneous endoscopic discectomy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2000

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of a parenteral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent for management of post-surgical pain and its effect on hospital stay and long-term surgical outcome. Methods: Total of 40 patients undergoing lumbar discectomy were randomly assigned to two groups, receiving either 1) 30 mg intravenous ketorolac upon surgical closure, every 6 hours for 36 hours, and morphine IV PCA (intravenous patient controlled analgesia), or 2) only morphine PCA. A blinded investigator recorded; the visual analog pain scores, total postoperative narcotic consumption, complications by morphine PCA, length of hospitalization (from surgery to discharge), and long-term outcome at 6 weeks. Results: The patients who received IV ketorolac and morphine PCA reported significantly lower visual analog pain scores than patients receiving only morphine PCA. Cumulative morphine doses were significantly lower in the ketorolac group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between groups in the frequency of side effects related to morphine PCA. Mean length of hospitalization was longer for patients receiving only morphine PCA, but there was no statistical significance. Six weeks after surgery, four (20.0%) patients who received only morphine PCA suffered persistent back pain. In contrary, all those patients who received ketorolac were free of back pain at follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that intermittent IV bolus ketorolac, when used with opioid IV PCA is more effective than opioid IV PCA alone for postoperative pain following lumbar disc surgery. However, this strategy did not contribute to early discharge from hospital after lumbar disc surgery. The effect to long-term surgical outcome was not conclusive.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2020

Purpose: Some patients who have undergone surgery due to lumbar disc herniation still complain of leg pain and other abnormal sensations. Therefore, the study examined the effects of the neurodynamics on pain and other abnormal nerve sensations in post-operated patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods: The participants of this study comprised 20 adults (10 males and 10 females) who were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation. The subjects were classified into two groups of 10 patients each in the lower extremity neurodynamics (LEN) and lumbar stabilization exercise (LSE) groups. Each intervention was applied twice a day for one week and was composed of two different exercise patterns; one was applied by a therapist, and the other was performed by the patients themselves. The data were analyzed using assessment methods of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), Toronto clinical neuropathy scoring system (TCNSS), Sympathetic Skin Response (SSR) test, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scale. Results: Significant differences in TCNSS, DITI, ODI scale were observed between the LEN and LSE group (p<0.01). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the SSR test between pre and post-treatment (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that neurodynamics treatment is effective in pain reduction and abnormal sensations, such as leg muscle cramps, in post-operated patients with lumbar disc herniation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.314-316
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• 2006

Intradural lumbar disc herniation[ILDH] is a rare pathology. The pathogenesis of ILDH is not known with certainty. Adhesions between the ventral wall of the dura and the posterior longitudinal ligament[PLL] could act as a preconditioning factor. Diagnosis of ILDH is difficult and seldom suspected preoperatively. Prompt surgery is necessary because the neurologic prognosis appears to be closely related to preoperative duration of neurologic symptoms. Despite preoperatively significant neurological deficits, the prognosis following surgery is relatively good. We report on case of ILDH at L3/4 with differential diagnoses, and the possible pathogenic factors are discussed.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2009

Objective : Although endoscopic procedures for lumbar disc diseases have improved greatly, the postoperative outcomes for high grade inferior migrated discs are not satisfactory. Because of anatomic limitations, a rigid endoscope cannot reach all lesions effectively. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of endoscopic transforaminal suprapedicular approach to high grade inferior-migrated lumbar disc herniations. Methods : Between May 2006 and March 2008, a suprapedicular approach was performed in 53 patients with high grade inferior-migrated lumbar disc herniations using a rigid endoscope and a semi-rigid flexible curved probe. One-to-four hours after surgery, the presence of remnant discs was checked with MRI. The outcomes were evaluated with the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) one week after surgery. Results : The L2-3 level was involved in 2 patients and the L3-4 level was involved in 14 patients, while the L4-5 level was involved in 39 patients. There were single piece-type in 34 cases and a multiple piece-type in 19 cases. Satisfactory results were obtained in all cases. The mean preoperative VAS for leg pain was $9.32{\pm}0.43$ points (range, 7-10 points), whereas the mean ODI was $79.82{\pm}4.53$ points (range, 68-92 points). At the last follow-up examination, the mean postoperative VAS for leg pain was $1.78{\pm}0.71$ points and the mean postoperative ODI improved to $15.27{\pm}3.82$ points. Conclusion : A high grade inferior migrated lumbar disc is difficult to remove sufficiently by posterolateral endoscopic lumbar dscectomy using a rigid endoscope. However, a satisfactory result can be obtained by applying a transforaminal suprapedicular approach with a flexible semi-rigid curved probe.