[Non-bony lumbar stenosis treated by excision of limited lamina and enlargement of spinal canal: a report of 45 cases].

In the treatment of 45 cases with non-bony lumbar stenosis, we adopted remain of spinal process and supraspinal ligament, excision of limited lamina and ligament flavum, enlargement of spinal canal. Follow-up of 40 cases showed 31 were excellent, 7, good and 2 poor. Satisfactory results were obtained in 95% of the cases: non-bony lumbar stenosis considered a type of acquired lumbar stenosis. Clinically, it was characterized by claudication. Diagnosis of the disease mainly depends on dynamic flexion-extension myelography. The advantages of this method include excision of spinal canal soft tissue which compressed nerve, small damage of bone structure, recover of the patients and lumbar stability.