Redecompression and fusion in failed back syndrome patients

Between 1979-1985, 45 patients underwent redecompression, neural exploration, and lateral mass fusion for failed back syndrome. Average follow-up was 29.2 months. Of the 45 patients, 47% had good results, 22% fair and 31% poor. Those factors that were found to correlate with a poor result were Workers' Compensation cases, less than six months pain free interval from the previous operation, male sex, history of psychiatric illness, and predominant diagnosis of perineural fibrosis. Our findings show that with meticulous surgical technique and careful selection of patients, a better than satisfactory outcome can be expected in the patient suffering from failed back syndrome.