Effectiveness of single posterior decompressive laminectomy in symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis: a retrospective study.

AIM: The best method for surgical intervention in symptomatic lumbar stenosis is not clear. The present study aims to assess first year outcomes and complication rates of patients treated with single posterior decompressive laminectomy.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Patients requiring surgery for severe, symptomatic, lumbar spinal stenosis were evaluated retrospectively. Oswestry disability index scores as well as the complications attributable to surgery were recorded before, at the sixth month and at the twelfth month of the surgery.

RESULTS

Eighty patients were enrolled to the study. The mean age of the population was 63,14 ± 11,57. Neurogenic claudication was the most common finding (65%). Of the patients, 67.5% had severe spinal stenosis. The mean ODI score at the baseline was relatively high than in the literature and was measured as 74.30 ± 5.38. At the end of the 6 months follow-up period, all patients' ODI scores significantly improved. Moreover, this improvement continued till the end of the 12 month. The mean change in ODI at the end of the first year was 41.80% ± 12.73.

CONCLUSION

In selected cases of symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis, single posterior decompression using laminectomy is safe and effective.