@article{Hutton_D-2023_162425,
title = {COVID-19 and Spontaneous Resolution of Lumbar Disc Prolapse: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients Awaiting Microdiscectomy},
author = {Hutton, D. and Mohamed, B. and Mehmood, K. and Magro, J. and Shekhar, H. and Solth, A. and Pulhorn, H. and Bennett, D. and Okasha, M.},
month = {nov},
year = {2023},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Between individual patients with lumbar disc prolapse (LDP), the natural course of disease is significantly variable. Spontaneous resolution is reported to occur in up to 70% of cases. However, we currently cannot predict for whom and when this will occur. Neurosurgical intervention is indicated for LDP patients with non-tolerable pain after at least 8-12 weeks of conservative management, or significant neurological deficit. Channelling essential resources in the National Health Service (NHS) to fight the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of most elective operations, including microdiscectomy. This left many LDP patients previously considered to be surgical candidates with conservative-only options in the interim. To our knowledge, we are the first centre to report the specific impact of the peri- and post-pandemic period on waiting list times, delayed elective microdiscectomy, and the incidence of spontaneous LDP resolution.},
journal = {Journal of Neurological Surgery. Part A, Central European Neurosurgery},
publisher = {Georg Thieme Verlag},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2206-2718},
}
