The effect of perioperative corticosteroids on the outcome of microscopic XXXX surgery.

@entity1 @entity2827 @entity228 @entity86 @entity158 @entity1798
Eighty adult @entity1 with @entity1798 herniation verified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical findings corresponding to the radiological level underwent microscopic disc removal to evaluate the outcome of perioperatively given corticosteroids in a prospective randomized double-blind study. In the treatment group the @entity1 received 250 mg Solu-Medrol intravenously and 160 mg Depo-Medrol intramuscularly. Before closure of the wound, a free fat transplant soaked in 80 mg Depo-Medrol was placed on the dural sac. In the control group the same procedure was performed, but @entity2827 was given instead of Depo-Medrol. All @entity1 underwent a clinical examination before surgery and at 2, 6, 12, 26, 52 and 104 weeks postoperatively, rating their @entity158 with the visual analog scale (VAS) and function with the Disability Rating Index (DRI). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter (P=0.01) in the treatment group (1.7 days) compared to the control group (2.3 days). Time taken to return to full-time work was also significantly shorter in the treatment group (P=0.003). VAS-W (Worst @entity158 during last week) was significantly lower in the treatment group (P=0.02). @entity86 occurred in one @entity1 in the control group and no adverse corticosteroids effect was seen. Our study shows that perioperatively given corticosteroids improve the outcome of microscopic disc surgery in terms of length of hospital stay and time taken to return to full-time work. The results also indicate that @entity228 treatment reduces @entity158 and improves functional outcome.
