[Lumbar nucleotomy in children and adolescents]

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Spine Surgery

Background:

• Lumbar disc protrusion is a common condition, but its occurrence in adolescents is infrequent.
• Surgical intervention for adolescent lumbar disc protrusion requires careful consideration due to the unique anatomical and physiological factors in this age group.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of lumbar disc protrusion in patients aged 20 years or younger.
• To evaluate the postoperative outcomes and long-term results of surgical treatment for adolescent lumbar disc protrusion.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 2987 patients operated on for lumbar disc protrusion between 1969 and 1980.
• Identification of 26 adolescent patients (up to 20 years old) within the study cohort.
• Follow-up assessment of 21 patients for one to twelve years post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Adolescent lumbar disc protrusion accounted for 0.87% of all operated cases.
• The average age at operation was 17.3 years, with the youngest patient being 12 years old.
• Postoperative results and specific etiological factors and symptoms were analyzed for the adolescent group.

Conclusions:

• Lumbar disc protrusion in adolescents is an uncommon but surgically treatable condition.
• Further analysis of etiology, symptoms, and long-term outcomes is crucial for optimizing surgical management in this population.