Microdiscectomy for sciatica: reality check study of long-term surgical treatment effects of a Lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LSRS).

Purpose: It remains unclear whether the long-term results of RCTs regarding the outcome of microdiscectomy for lumbosacral radicular syndrome (LSRS) are generalizable. The purpose of this study was to determine the external validity of the outcome preseneted in RCTs after microdicectomy for LSRS in a patient cohort from a high-volume spine center.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2010, 539 patients had a single level microdiscectomy for MRI disk-related LSRS of whom 246 agreed to participate.

Complications in cranioplasty after decompressive craniectomy: timing of the intervention.

Objective: To prevent complications following decompressive craniectomy (DC), such as sinking skin flap syndrome, studies suggested early cranioplasty (CP). However, several groups reported higher complication rates in early CP. We studied the clinical characteristics associated with complications in patients undergoing CP, with special emphasis on timing.

Skin Augmentation as a Last-Resort Operative Technique During Decompressive Craniectomy.

Objective: Since 2009, we have performed skin augmentation using a Gore-Tex patch as a last-resort measure to reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) in uncontrollable brain swelling during decompressive craniectomy (DC). Here, we report our experience and outcome in a consecutive series of patients undergoing DC with skin augmentation (DC+S).

Methods: In 2009-2015, a prospective database was created registering all patients who underwent DC+S when ICP increased >25 mm Hg while approximating the skin edges after DC (or when closing the skin was impossible because of uncontrollable brain swelling in patients without an ICP monitoring catheter).

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with stand-alone Trabecular Metal cages for repeatedly recurrent lumbar disc herniation and back pain.

Object: Patients with recurrent sciatica due to repeated reherniation of the intervertebral disc carry a poor prognosis for recovery and create a large burden on society. There is no consensus about the best treatment for this patient group. The goal of this study was to evaluate the 12-month results of the placement of stand-alone Trabecular Metal cages in these patients.

Surgery versus prolonged conservative treatment for sciatica: 5-year results of a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: This study describes the 5 years' results of the Sciatica trial focused on pain, disability, (un)satisfactory recovery and predictors for unsatisfactory recovery.

Design: A randomised controlled trial.

Setting: Nine Dutch hospitals.

Primary limited lumbar discectomy with an annulus closure device: one-year clinical and radiographic results from a prospective, multi-center study.

Objective: Discectomy as a treatment for herniated lumbar discs results in outcomes after surgery that are not uniformly positive. Surgeons face the dilemma between limited nucleus removal which is associated with a higher risk of recurrence, or more aggressive nucleus removal which may lead to disc height loss and persistent back-pain. annulus closure devices may allow for the benefits of limited nucleus removal without the increased risk of recurrence.