Surgical outcome of lower limbs radiculopathy “due to degenerative lumbar canal stenosis” 12-24 months after decompression

Abstract

Objectives: Interlaminar decompression is a surgical procedure that decompresses the lumbar spinal canal in order to release neuro-vascular components that have been compromised by degenerative stenosis. It can significantly improve patient quality of life and reduce morbidity and the effects of lumbar canal stenosis. Methods: A retrospective study of 57 patients, surgically operated for degenerative lumbar canal stenosis, at the Sulaymaniyah teaching hospital between Mar. 2018 and Mar. 2020. Diagnosis was achieved via history and clinical examination and radiological imaging (Lumbo-sacral spine MRI).  Surgical procedure was standardized for all patients that was interlaminar decompression of the lumbar spinal canal, the postoperative follow up was after 12-24 months. Results: In total, 57 patients with degenerative lumbar canal stenosis (due to ligamentum flavum hypertrophy) were included, male (26%) and female (74%), age of the cases were between 34 – 85 years, mean 57.39 and median 57 and standard deviation 10.96, there were no deference in the outcome of different ages and genders. chief complain of patients were back pain and both lower limbs radiculopathy in the majority of the cases, associated with paresthesia and numbness of the lower limbs, which were improved modestly after surgical decompression. Conclusion: Interlaminar decompression of the stenosed lumbar spinal canal is an effective and generally safe surgical procedure with high patient satisfaction and good functional outcomes expected.