Clinical Study of Herniated Intervertebral Disks of the Lumbar Spine Extruded to the Posterior Epidural Space

Abstract

Eighteen patients ranging in age between 28-67 years (mean, 44.8) underwent surgery for herniated intervertebral disk of the lumbar spine extruded to the posterior epidural space from 1977 to 1994. Twelve patients could not walk because of their leg pain, numbness and muscle weakness. Half of the patients had urine incontinence. The levels of the herniated discs were L2/3 in two patients, L3/4 in five patients, L4/5 in six patients and L5/S1 in five patients. 39% were above the L3/4 levels. Severe patients were operated on within eight days. In most of the patients, large fragments extruded to the posterior epidural space and in four patients fragments extruded below the nerve root of S1. Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 12 years. All of the patients except two showed good results. One patient took a long time from the onset of pain and numbness to the operation, and another patient suffered severe paralysis.