The evidence-based approach for surgical complications in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this article is to review the evidence-based approach for surgical complications following disc herniation.

METHODS: A search of the primary English literature was conducted for research examining the outcomes and complications of surgical discectomy. Special regard was given to high-quality prospective randomized studies.

RESULTS: The most commonly reported complications of surgical treatment of disc herniation are included in this review. Medical complications, and surgical complications including infection, durotomy, neurological injury, symptomatic re-herniation, and revision surgery are defined and systematically reviewed in detail for incidence, evaluation, and management.

CONCLUSION: This article provides the clinician and surgeon with a review of the evidence-based evaluation and management of surgical complications following disc herniation, offering best practice guidelines for informed discussions with patients in shared decision-making.