Expansive laminoplasty for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Expansive laminoplasty, a procedure used for cervical myelopathy, was carried out in 4 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. The method was used in relatively young patients with severe low back and sciatic pain who had intraspinal ossification at multiple segments, with or without developmental spinal stenosis. The advantages of osteoplastic enlargement of the lumbar spinal canal with reinforcement of spinal stability are confirmed by our follow up of 2 to 5 1/2 years. The results were very satisfactory in each case. The indications and operative technique are described.