Volume : 2, Issue : 7, July - 2013

Results of Unilateral paraspinal muscle sparing bilateral laminotomy

Dr Lokesh H Thakkar, Dr Dipak A Shah, Dr Mitul Mistry, Dr Vishal R Chaudhari

Abstract :

Objective: To evaluate efficacy of unilateral paraspinal muscle spsaring bilateral laminotomy by means of spinous process osteotomy compared with conventional laminectomy in management of lumbar canal stenosis and lumbar disc prolapse. Methods: Forty consecutive patients of lumbar canal stenosis and lumbar disc prolapsed were operated using these two techniques. Patients were operated randomly using either of the technique with or without discectomy. Results between the groups were compared using following measures: duration of hospital stay, post operative pain free sitting and return to work, complication rate. Result: both the group did not differ significantly in terms of age, sex or level of operation. Results were graded primarily using GREENGOUGH scoring system pre and post operatively. Using this scoring system outcome did not differ much in either of the technique although patients operated by laminotomy did well in terms of post operative reduced hospital stay, earlier pain free sitting and overall reduction in complication and faster and improved rehabilitation. Conclusion: Although overall outcome of the patients at final follow up remains mostly unchanged, technique of sparing unilateral paraspinal muscles and there by sparing supraspinous and interspinous ligaments does help in earlier rehabilitations of the patients, fastens the recovery and ings in overall feeling of well being and patient satisfaction.