Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025
05:50
A Mobile Outside-in Technique of Transforaminal Lumbar Endoscopy for Lumbar Disc Herniations
Published on: August 7, 2018
12.1K
Surgeons preference for lumbar disk surgery: a discrete choice experiment.
Pravesh S Gadjradj1, Biswadjiet S Harhangi2, Maurits W van Tulder3
1Department of Neurosurgery, Park MC, Hoofdweg 90, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. p.gadjradj@erasmusmc.nl.
Summary
Neurosurgeons prioritize complication risk over effectiveness when choosing sciatica surgery. They are willing to sacrifice significant pain relief for safer procedures, highlighting a key factor in surgical decision-making for lumbar disk herniation.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Spine Surgery
Background:
- Sciatica resulting from lumbar disk herniation is commonly treated with various surgical techniques.
- The specific factors influencing surgeons' choices among these techniques remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the importance surgeons place on different sciatica treatment characteristics.
- To analyze the trade-offs surgeons consider between these characteristics.
- To identify variations in surgeon preferences for surgical techniques.
Main Methods:
- A discrete choice experiment was utilized.
- Surgeons from international neurosurgical organizations participated.
- Preferences were assessed based on effectiveness, recurrence risk, postoperative pain, complication risk, and recovery time.
Main Results:
- All evaluated characteristics significantly impacted surgeon preferences.
- Risk of complications emerged as the most critical factor (35.7%).
- Surgeons demonstrated a willingness to trade significant leg pain effectiveness for reduced complication rates.
Conclusions:
- Risk of complications is the paramount consideration for neurosurgeons when selecting surgical techniques for sciatica.
- The study highlights a strong preference for minimizing surgical risks, even at the expense of treatment effectiveness.
- Surgeon tenure was identified as a factor influencing treatment preferences.
