[Degenerative lumbar stenoses: value of the Cotrel-Dubousset instrumentation combined with lamino-arthrectomy. Apropos of 16 cases].

Sixteen patients suffering from degenerative lumbar stenosis with or without spondylolisthesis underwent surgery following medical treatment failure; symptoms consisted of intermittent claudication, radiculalgia, and lumbago. In all cases, treatment involved dural and nerve root release with extensive lamino-arthrectomy, followed by arthrodesis using the Cotrel and Dubousset Instrumentation with posterolateral arthrodesis in order to avoid postoperative spinal instability. One case met with failure, owing to peridural fibrosis caused by a previous operation, while fifteen good to excellent results were obtained as evaluated according to Stauffer and Coventry criteria.