Expert review with meta-analysis of randomized and nonrandomized controlled studies of Barricaid annular closure in patients at high risk for lumbar disc reherniation

Prospective observational study with historical control. The prospective study population consisted of 30 patients undergoing a posterior lumbar subtotal discectomy for lumbar disc herniation. This group was compared to a historical cohort of 46 patients treated with limited discectomy alone. To compare clinical outcomes after limited versus subtotal discectomy for lumbar disc herniations. Large posterior anular defects found at posterior discectomy have been associated with more frequent reherniation when treated with limited discectomy (i.e., removing only extruded or loose intervertebral fragments). A trial of more aggressive discectomy (subtotal) was undertaken to determine if the rate of reherniation could be decreased with this technique. A total of 30 patients undergoing a posterior lumbar discectomy for lumbar disc herniation were treated with an aggressive (subtotal) resection of intervertebral disc material after removal of the extruded or protruded fragments. This group was compared against a historical cohort of 46 patients treated with limited discectomy alone. Reherniation rates and clinical outcomes were determined by independent evaluation at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The reherniation rate in the limited discectomy group was 18% versus 9% in the subtotal discectomy group at follow-up (P = 0.1). However, the back pain (visual analog scale) (P = 0.02) and Oswestry scores (P = 0.06) were worse in the subtotal discectomy group at 12-month follow-up. Time to return to work was longer, and pain medication usage was higher in the subtotal discectomy group at 12-month follow-up. Despite a trend toward a higher reherniation rate, the patient satisfaction at 2-year follow-up was higher in the limited discectomy group. The more aggressive removal of remaining intervertebral disc material may decrease the risk of reherniation, but the overall outcome was less satisfactory, especially during the first year after surgery.

Lumbar discectomy is a very effective therapy for neurological decompression in patients suffering from sciatica due to hernia nuclei pulposus. However, high recurrence rates and persisting post-operative low back pain in these patients require serious attention. In the past decade, tissue engineering strategies have been developed mainly targeted to the regeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) of the intervertebral disc. Accompanying techniques that deal with the damaged annulus fibrous are now increasingly recognised as mandatory in order to prevent re-herniation to increase the potential of NP repair and to confine NP replacement therapies. In the current review, the requirements, achievements and challenges in this quickly emerging field of research are discussed.

Same-level recurrent lumbar disc herniation complicates outcomes after primary discectomy in a subset of patients. The health care costs associated with the management of this complication are currently unknown. We set out to identify the incidence and health care cost of same-level recurrent disc herniation after single-level lumbar discectomy at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed 156 consecutive patients undergoing primary single-level lumbar discectomy at one institution. The incidence of symptomatic same-level recurrent disc herniation either responding to conservative therapy or requiring revision discectomy was assessed. Institutional billing and accounting records were reviewed to determine the billing costs of all diagnostic and therapeutic measures used for patients experiencing recurrent disc herniation. Twelve months after surgery, 141 patients were available for follow-up. Of these patients, 124 (88%) were symptom free or had minimal symptoms not affecting their daily activity. Radiographically proven symptomatic same-level recurrent disc herniation developed in 17 patients (12%) a median of 8 months after primary discectomy. Eleven patients (7%) required revision surgery, whereas 6 (3.9%) responded to conservative therapy alone. Diagnosis and management of recurrent disc herniation were associated with a mean cost of $26,593 per patient, and the mean cost was markedly less for patients responding to conservative treatment ($2315) compared with those requiring revision surgery ($39,836) (P < 0.001). Of 141 primary lumbar discectomies performed at our institution with the patients followed for 1 year, the total cost associated with the management of subsequent recurrent disc herniation was $452,083 ($289,797 per 100 primary discectomies). In our experience, recurrent lumbar disc herniation occurred in more than 10% of patients and was associated with substantial health care costs. Development of novel techniques to prevent recurrent lumbar disc herniation is warranted to decrease the health care costs and morbidity associated with this complication. Prolonged conservative management should be attempted when possible to reduce the health care costs of this complication.