An observational study on the outcome after surgery for lumbar disc herniation in adolescents compared with adults based on the Swedish Spine Register

Background context: Disc-related sciatica has a prevalence of about 2% in adults, but is rare in adolescents. If conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery is an option.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgery for lumbar disc herniation in adolescents with adults in the Swedish Spine Register.

Study design/setting: This is a prospective observational study: National Quality Register.

Patient sample: This study included 151 patients, 18 years or younger, 4,386 patients, 19-39 years, and 6,078 patients, 40 years or older, followed for 1-2 years after surgery.

Outcome measures: The primary outcomes were patient satisfaction and global assessment of leg and back pain. Secondary outcomes were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) leg pain, VAS back pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D).

Methods: Statistical analyses were performed with the Welch F test, the chi-square test, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results: At follow-up, 86% of the adolescents were satisfied compared with 78% in the younger adults and 76% in the older adults group (p<.001). According to the global assessment, significantly decreased leg pain was experienced by 87% of the adolescents, 78% of the younger adults, and 71% of the older adults (p<.001). Corresponding figures for back pain were 88%, 73%, and 70%, respectively (p<.001). All groups experienced significant postoperative improvement of VAS leg pain, VAS back pain, ODI, and EQ-5D (all p<.001).

Conclusions: The adolescent age group was more satisfied with the treatment than the adult groups. There was a significant improvement in all age groups after surgery.