Surgical Outcome of Limited Hemilaminectomy Performed for Spinal Stenosis

Abstract

Objective:  To assess surgery-related outcomes of limited hemilaminectomy in patients with single-level spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine who did not respond to conservative therapy.

Materials & Methods:  The retrospective observational study was done at KTH, Peshawar. 34 patients with a diagnosis of single-level lumbar spinal stenosis were treated surgically by limited hemilaminectomy. Assessments were done by clinical testing of walking capabilities, alleviation of radicular pain, and recovery of motor stiffness. The complications during postoperative were documented. The duration of follow-up was between 6 and 15 months (mean: 11.2 +/- 2.8 months).

Results:  Good outcomes were achieved after surgery. The mean increase of walking distance was found in 82.3% of patients, whereas 70.5% percent could travel less than 100 meters before surgery (p=0.001). Radicular pain resolved within 88.2% of the patients at a span of six months (p=0.042). Of the 13 patients 38.2% who had dorsiflexion weakness, the recovery back to full normal was feasible within six months (p = 0.001). The postoperative complications were minor and transient, though it was present in only 8.8 percent of cases.

Conclusion:  Limited hemilaminectomy is a potentially beneficial intervention that has a good clinical outcome regarding single-level lumbar spinal stenosis, with restricted functional capacity and a low complication rate. This method stabilizes the spine and eliminates the necessity to fuse or use instrumentation, thus representing a safe alternative to a common open laminectomy.