Surgical Management of Sciatica due to Lumbar Disc Herniation: Epidemiology, Quality of Life and Postoperative Outcome at Yaounde Military Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Background: lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a major cause of sciatica and disability in young and middle-aged adults. This study evaluated the epidemiological features, clinical profile, and postoperative outcomes of patients operated on for LDH at the Yaounde Military Hospital.

Methods: a retrospective analytical study was carried out from January 2018 to December 2025 in the Neurosurgery Department. Twenty-five patients with complete postoperative follow-up were included. Sociodemographic, clinical, surgical, and postoperative parameters were analyzed using Stata® 17.0. Functional status was assessed with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and return-to-work status at three months was recorded.

Results: the mean age was 43.6 ± 11.6 years, with a male predominance (68%). The most affected levels were L4–L5 (52%) and L5–S1 (40%). ODI scores improved markedly from a preoperative mean of 82.8% to 25% postoperatively. Complication rates were low (8%), consisting of one cerebrospinal fluid leak and one superficial wound infection. At three months, 92% of patients had resumed work, with 81.5% doing so through part-time reintegration. No socio-demographic or clinical variable was significantly associated with return-to-work outcomes (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: surgical discectomy for LDH at the Yaounde Military Hospital led to substantial functional improvement and a high early return-to-work rate. These findings support its effectiveness and safety, even in resource-limited settings, and underscore the importance of improving postoperative rehabilitation and expanding regional research.