Study Summary

Sixty patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease undergoing decompressive and fusion lumbar spine surgery were randomized to receive either postoperative limaprost or placebo. The primary outcome of interest was leg numbness severity measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included tingling sensation, leg pain, back pain, disability (ODI), and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately postoperatively, and at 1, 3, and 6 months. Overall, the results of the study revealed that both groups experienced significant improvements in leg numbness over time, but no significant differences were observed between groups. However, the limaprost group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in back pain compared to placebo. These findings suggest that while limaprost does not improve postoperative leg numbness, it may be beneficial in reducing back pain following lumbar spine surgery.