OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of the treatments of lumbar spinal stenosis by selective decompression of lumbar root canal and laminectomy.

METHODSFrom March 2007 to March 2011, 144 lumbar spinal stenosis patients were treated by selective decompression of lumbosacral root canal and laminectomy. All of these patients included 64 male and 80 female patients, age range 60-87 years, average (66 ± 5) years. Duration 6-72 months, average (12 ± 16) months. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to surgical procedure underwent: group A including 70 patients who were treated with selective decompression of lumbar root canal, group B including 74 patients who were treated with traditional laminectomy. Five time points were selected to assess clinical effect using Oswestry disability index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), which were pre-operation and 1 month, 6 months, 12 months and last follow-up. The data were analyzed through Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test.

RESULTSAll operations were completed well without severe complications. The duration of follow-up was 12-55 months, average (31 ± 6) months. All patients' symptoms got improved or partial remission. The average pre- and post-operative scores of JOA in group A and B were from 14.0 ± 1.6 to 20.3 ± 1.7, from 13.6 ± 1.7 to 20.2 ± 2.0, respectively, there were significant statistical differences (Z = 2.41 and 2.23, P < 0.05). The average pre- and post-operative scores of ODI in group A and B were from 62% ± 4% to 28% ± 4%, from 63% ± 4% to 27% ± 3%, respectively, there were significant statistical differences (Z = 2.93 and 2.64, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPersonalized treatment programs should be established for elderly lumbar spinal stenosis according to stenosis location. Laminectomy is carried out with the stenosis in the central spinal canal; selective decompression of lumbosacral root canal is accepted with the stenosis in the nerve root canal without central stenosis.