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Comparison of elective lumbar discectomy outcomes between civilians and military personnel.

OBJECTIVE
To determine the results of discectomy surgery for lumbar disc herniation in military personnel and compare it with civilians.


DESIGN
A cross-sectional study.


PLACE AND DURATION
This study was conducted in Neurosurgery Department and Trauma Research Center, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran, from February to October 2006.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
One-hundred and seventeen military patients (54 subjects as combat forces and 63 as office personnel) and 115 civilians, who underwent discectomy surgery were included. In a mean duration of 50.8 months, the ability to return to full duty and resolution of complaints were assessed and satisfaction was measured using a Visual Analog Scale.


RESULTS
Inability to return to previous duty was significantly higher in military personnel compared to civilians (p = 0.002); and in combat forces compared to office personnel (p < 0.001). The mean (SD) satisfaction was 80.09 (17.8) and 79.32 (9.8) percent in civilian and military personnel, respectively; p = 0.02. However, this difference was not seen in military subgroup forces. Military personnel had less complaints after surgery, 32.1% comparing to 42.7% in civilians; but the difference was not statistically significant. Likewise, fewer complaints were observed in combat forces comparing with office forces; 37% vs. 47.6% (p>0.05).


CONCLUSION
Surgical intervention had relatively poor outcomes in military personnel, specifically in combat forces. Prevention of injury to back region should be considered in military training programs and in case of presence of disc herniation related symptoms, efforts should be made to save patients' effective function by conservation and medical therapies.