Abstract
Introduction
Lumbar Disc pathology remains one of the leading causes of back pain with a multitude of surgical options. Choosing the best management option remains a challenge for many practitioners due to the individualized needs and variables of each patient. Obesity poses a challenge to surgeons regarding anesthesia, positioning and adequate exposure which required longer incisions. Studies showed that in selected patient population, microdiscectomy achieved favorable short and long term outcomes with most patients achieving a good to excellent recovery on Macnab Classification up to 10 years post operatively. Studies also showed that obesity was not associated with increased risk of herniated nucleus pulposus after microdiscectomy, However, increased BMI was associated with significantly increased estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative time without affecting the surgical outcomes such as length of hospital stay, recurrent disc herniation, and intra-operative durotomy.
Methods
Study subjects were identified through the microdiscectomy registry at Hamad Medical Corporation. 50 patients who had microdiscectomy over one year prior to the closure of the study were enrolled. The study population was divided into two groups according to their BMI. Group A had BMI less than 25 kg/m2while group B included those with a BMI equal to and above 25 kg/m2. Patients' medical records were reviewed for demographics, complications and radiographic findings. Patients were interviewed and Short Form 12 (SF-12) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were obtained and compared with their preoperative counterparts.
Results
Statistical analysis showed no significant differences in SF-12 or VAS scores between the 2 groups at one year follow up.
Conclusion
In the early post operative period, quality of life and pain following microdiscectomy is not affected by the patient's BMI.