Summary
The “conservative” microsurgical lumbar discectomy described by Williams for the treatment of herniated lumbar disc is compared in a retrospective study with the standard microsurgical technique of Caspar and Loew. In order to enable such a retrospective comparison, a special randomization had to be chosen. The data concerning outcome are based on a questionnaire, in which the patient can describe his actual health situation. The result in the group of 56 patients operated on by the Williams technique with a mean follow-up of 27 months is excellent or good in 89% vs. 74% in the standard technique group. Reoperations due to a recurrence were identical in both groups (3.6% and 3.9%).
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References
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Striffeler, H., Gröger, U. & Reulen, H.J. “Standard” microsurgical lumbar discectomy vs. “conservative” microsurgical discectomy A preliminary study. Acta neurochir 112, 62–64 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402455
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01402455