Risk factors of recurrent disc herniation

The causes of 100 disc herniation reoperations are analyzed and discussed in a review: we find a recurrence of disc herniation at the same level in 62% of the reoperated cases, a pseudorecurrence in 24% and a closely connected nerve route in 14%. We reoperated on 44% within the first two years and on 69% within the first five years. The interval between the operations is longer, when there is a short painfree interval following surgery and also a long history of pre-operative symptoms. The variables of risk of prolapse recurrence are recorded as a risk score. Retrospectively, 64% belonged to a risk group according to this score. The correlation between operation intervals and scores show, that patients with a short interval have high scores.