Searching of literature data revealed only a few reports devoted to long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbosacral spine synovial cysts. These results are ambiguous and largely contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the long-term postoperative outcomes in patients with lumbosacral spine synovial cysts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed between January 2015 ando September 2022. The study included patients who underwent surgical treatment for lumbosacral spine synovial cysts with clinical and neurological manifestations. There were 94 medical records of respondents (36 (38.3%) men and 58 (61.7%) women aged 18-82 years). Mean postoperative follow-up period was 24.6±7.5 months.

RESULTS

Patients underwent various surgical interventions for synovial cysts. VAS scores of pain syndrome after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 postoperative months revealed significant pain relief in the lower back and extremities (p<0.01). In long-term follow-up period, we observed significantly lower disability (Oswestry Disability Index) (p<0.001). Adverse postoperative events occurred in 9 (9.6%) cases.

CONCLUSION

Interlaminectomy with cyst wall resection and preservation or partial resection (no more than 1/3) of facet joint without segmental fusion is an effective and preferable surgical method with minimal incidence of adverse clinical events.