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Lumbar disc prolapse on the contralateral side at the same level following discectomy
1Neurosurgical Clinic, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia.
The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Recurrent lumbar disc prolapse can occur on the opposite side after surgery. This rare contralateral recurrence was successfully treated with a repeat microdiscectomy, highlighting a viable surgical option.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Surgical management of lumbar disc prolapse (LDP) aims to relieve nerve compression.
- Recurrent LDP, particularly ipsilateral, is a known complication.
- Contralateral recurrence at the same level is exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- A case of recurrent lumbar disc prolapse on the contralateral side at the same level is presented.
- The patient underwent a successful second microdiscectomy for this rare complication.
Findings:
- Contralateral recurrent lumbar disc prolapse is a rare but manageable complication post-surgery.
- Review of previous series indicates the infrequent occurrence of this specific recurrence pattern.
Implications:
- This case highlights the efficacy of repeat microdiscectomy for contralateral recurrent LDP.
- Understanding the frequency of contralateral recurrence can inform surgical planning and patient counseling.