Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised clinical trials, meta-analyses, published practice guidelines, case series where the number of participants was greater than 100, and other smaller studies that addressed specific clinical variables that might affect the outcomes of lower-back surgery, were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
Lumbar discectomy, percutaneous and endoscopic disc treatments (chemonucleolysis, automated percutaneous discectomy, laser discectomy and endoscopic techniques) for lumbar disc herniation.
Participants included in the review
Patients undergoing discectomy or invasive percutaneous treatments for discogenic sciatica.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The reduction of intractable sciatic pain, and the benefits and risks of lumbar discectomy and invasive percutaneous treatments, were assessed.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.