The Role of Epidural Steroids in the Outcome of Postoperative Lumbar Discectomy

Abstract
Background: Many surgeons prefer using intra-operative steroids directly over the durra and nerve root claiming that it decrease the post-operative pain, this study was made to determine if there is real role of steroids on the post-operative pain after lumbar discectomy.
Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study in which we collected the data of 104 patients who underwent single level laminectomy and discectomy from March 2013 to March 2016 in Faculty of Medicine, Bani-Seuf University. Recurrent disc and multiple disc affection were excluded from these study. We divided the patients into 2 groups, Group (A) which receive steroids intra operatively on the dura and included 50 patients and Group (B) without usage of steroids and included 54 patients, the patients in the 2 groups were compared in the post-operative pain by consumption of pain killer, the timing of hospital stay also the duration to return to normal daily activity.
Results: Considering the drug use after surgery the mean rate in Group (A) was about 10mg of narcotics vs. 10.4mg in Group (B) the duration of hospital stay in both groups was 3 days patients of both groups were able to walk on the operation night, the mean interval duration before returning to normal daily activity was 18 day in Group (A) and 20 days in Group (B) the results of these parameters did not show any significant difference between the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Intra-operative steroid usage by direct apply on dura does not affect the severity of post-operative pain after lumbar disc removal it does not shorten the hospital stay or time needed to return to work.