• Miha Vodičar, Robert Košak, Matevž Gorenšek, Robert Korez, Tomaž Vrtovec, Jadran Koder, Vane Antolič, and Rok Vengust.
• *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 9, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia †University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Laboratory of Imaging Technologies, Tržaška cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia ‡Institute of Radiology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška cesta 7, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
• J Spinal Disord Tech. 2015 Jun 18.

Study DesignPilot single-centre, stratified, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, parallel-group, controlled study.ObjectiveTo determine whether vertebral end-plate perforation after lumbar discectomy causes annulus reparation and intervertebral disc volume restoration. To determine that after six months there would be no clinical differences between the control and study group.Summary Of Background DataLow back pain is the commonest long-term complication after lumbar discectomy. It is mainly caused by intervertebral disc space loss, which promotes progressive degeneration. This is the first study to test the efficiency of a previously described method (vertebral end-plate perforation) that should advocate for annulus fibrosus reparation and disc space restoration.MethodsWe selected 30 eligible patients according to inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly assigned them to the control (no end-plate perforation) or study (end-plate perforation) group. Each patient was evaluated in 5 different periods, where data was collected (preoperative and six months follow up MRI and functional outcome data (VAS back, VAS legs, Oswestry disability questionnaire). Intervertebral space volume (ISV) and height (ISH) were measured form the MRI images. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and linear regression. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsWe found no statistically significant difference between the control group and the study group concerning ISV (P=0.6808) and ISH (P=0.8981) six months after surgery. No statistically significant differences were found between ODI, VAS back and VAS legs after six months between the two groups, however there were statistically significant differences between these parameters in different time periods. Correlation between the volume of disc tissue removed and preoperative versus postoperative difference in ISV was statistically significant (P=0.0020).ConclusionsThe present study showed positive correlation between the volume of removed disc tissue and decrease in postoperative ISV and ISH. There were no statistically significant differences in ISV and ISH between the group with end-plate perforation and the control group six months after lumbar discectomy. Clinical outcome and disability were significantly improved in both groups three and six months after surgery.

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