LUMBAR DISK HERNIATION: EVALUATION OF MEDICAL CARE AND PAIN MANAGEMENT AT THE SPECIALTIES HOSPITAL CREHVITAL AMBATO-ECUADOR: RETROSPECTIVE, CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY, AND ASSESSMENT OF TWO CLINICAL CASES

Objectives: The objective of the study was to assess medical care and pain management of 237 lumbar disk herniation cases treated from 2011 to 2021 in the Specialties Hospital CREHVITAL, Ambato-Ecuador, and to provide a set of standards for appropriate management. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of archives, and registries of patient’s data provided by the Specialties Hospital CREHVITAL, Ambato-Ecuador. Participants: A total of 237 patients with lumbar disk herniation received medical services from 2011 to 2021; outcome measures were: Pain management, patient characteristics, surgical procedures, and medication after surgery. Results: The 40–50 age range had the highest prevalence of lumbar disk herniation and a higher percentage of the pathology in men (66%) than in women. Of the 237 patients, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the highest lumbar disk herniation of the L4–L5 (101 men and 20 women), followed by herniation of the L5–S1 (59 men and 51 women). Two types of surgeries were performed: Classical surgery on 157 patients and microsurgery on 80 patients. The average period before receiving treatment was 1.5 years of maintaining back pain, and the early post-operative management consisted of patients receiving diclofenac, ketorolac, and ceftriaxone. Analgesics were used in 73.43% of patients. All cases required strict control, follow-up, and post-operative check-ups. Conclusion: This study provides essential and conclusive evidence and information on treated cases of lumbar disk herniation and its incidence in the medical field