Evaluation of relationship between timing of surgery and functional outcome considering the extent of neurological deficit in patients with cauda equina syndrome secondary to lumbar disc herniation

Background: Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but severe neurological disorder most commonly due to lumbar disc herniation. The role of urgent surgery in improving the outcome of patients with CES remains controversial.Methods: In the present study retrospective evaluation of 44 patients with CES secondary to lumbar disc herniation treated at our hospital between 2009 and 2017 has been done. The patients were categorized into complete (CES-R) and incomplete (CES-I) types of CES and the relationship between timing of surgery and outcome were evaluated.Results: Out of 44 patients, 28 patients presented with CES-I and 16 patients presented with CES-R. In patients with CES-I there was statistically significant difference (p=0.0001) in all observed surgical outcome between the patients operated within 48 hrs and those operated after 48 hrs. In patients with CES-R, no correlation was found between onset of symptoms and timing of surgery as recovery was partial in all the patients except 3 who completely recovered, irrespective of their operative times. (p=0.494).Conclusions: Early diagnosis and treatment in form of emergency decompressive surgery done within 48 hours of onset of autonomic symptoms in CES-I patients can prevent further neurological damage and deterioration to CES-R. For CES-R patients operating within 48 hours made no difference to their outcome. However, necessary investigations and planned surgery by skilful surgeon should be arranged as soon as is reasonably possible for patients with CES-R.