Study on Reoperation Rates After Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery

Recurrent lumbar disc herniation is not uncommon in clinical practice. However, not all patients require reoperation. Determining the reoperation rate is a critical clinical issue and a matter of significant concern for many patients.

A group of researchers conducted a statistical analysis on 18,590 lumbar disc herniation surgery patients in Korea to ascertain the recurrence and reoperation rates.

The authors reported that at a 5-year follow-up, the overall reoperation rate was 13.4%. Analysis of the data revealed a “front-loaded effect” in the reoperation rates. About one-third of the reoperations occurred within the first month post-surgery, and approximately half of the patients requiring reoperation underwent the procedure within the first year after the initial surgery.

This study, using a large sample of longitudinal data, provides a clearer understanding of the reoperation rates in lumbar disc herniation patients. The findings are of significant importance for both clinical decision-making and patient education.