Analysis of the results of treatment of stable forms of osteochondrosis

Abstract

Introduction. Osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine is one of the most common causes of lower back pain. Conservative treat-ment can get a good result in the vast majority of patients. However, in a large number of patients this tactic is ineffective. The discovery of laser technologies and their introduction into medical practice have led to the popularization of mini-mally invasive treatments. Laser vaporization of intervertebral discs can eliminate pain and radicular syndromes by evapora-tion (vaporization) of a small volume of the pulpal nucleus. The aim of the study. Conduct a retrospective analysis of the treatment of stable forms of lumbar spine osteochondrosis. Materials and methods. In 2009-2019, 1126 patients with stable forms of osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine were treated in the clinic of the Department of General Surgery of Uzhhorod National University. All patients were of working age. Among them were 630 women (56.0%), 496 men (44.0%). Patients were divided into three groups: 1 – patients who underwent conservative treatment (584); 2 – patients who underwent open surgery (303); 3 – patients who underwent percu-taneous laser vaporization of the intervertebral disc (239). Results and discussion. Excellent and good result among all patients of the first group, which we observed during the first year was 68%. 42 patients from this group were operated due to the lack of effect of conservative treatment at different times from the start of therapy. Among patients of the second group the number of excellent and good results during the first year was 74%. Most pa-tients returned to their previous jobs. 37 patients were forced to change jobs. 21 patients were re-operated: 18 patients at other levels and 3 patients at the level of previous surgery. Among patients of group III within 1 year successful results were noted in 77.1%. No improvement was observed in 15 patients. One was operated on by the open method. Conclusions. Percutaneous laser vaporization of intervertebral discs is an alternative to open surgery, but it is necessary to follow clear indications and contraindications to perform this procedure. It is important to study long-term results (more than 6 years) after percutaneous laser vaporization of intervertebral discs.