Abstract:
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of 30 patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis underwent surgical treatment (undercutting decompression) in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery of the University Hospital Tübingen.
Main outcome measure was change in Oswestry Disability Score (ODS) pre- and postoperative. Secondary objective criteria were change in VAS, Roland Morris Score (RMS), walking capacity, patients satisfaction with surgical treatment and different clinical and radiologic parameters.
63 % of the patients were female, 37 % male. Female had higher ODS pre- and postoperative than male. Reoperationrate was 17 %, two patients had instrumented fusion after the decompression. Average follow-up was 12,1 months, average age was 68,5 years and the average BMI was 29,2 kg/m². 120 minutes was mean operation time, average loss of blood was 100 ml. 23 % had complications during the operation, most common complication was lazeration of the dura. 74 % of the patients were satisfied with surgical treatment. The results showed a significant decrease of the ODS with p=0,001 after undercutting decompression (47,9 % vs. 32,2 %). There was also a clear change in VAS (p < 0,01), but not in RMS (p > 0,05). Walking capacity improved significantly (p < 0,01) after operation from average 836 m to 3530 m. There were no correlation (Spearman) between ODS and BMI, number of operated levels, operation time, length of follow-up, loss of blood, lumbar lordosis or preoperative existing deseases. Patients with spine-related deseases existing preoperative, such as osteoporosis, fracture of the intervertebral bodies, hip or knee joint operation, were associated with higher postoperative ODS (p=0,0176, r=0,446). There was also a correlation between preoperative Cobb-angle and ODS, patients with high Cobb-angle had higher ODS before and after surgical treatment (p=0,0016, r=0,610).
Undercutting decompression seems to be a good surgical treatment for patients suffering from degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Our results showed that it could clearly improve pain and walking capacity of these patients. Clinical and radiological parameters have limits to predict the outcome, however should be involved to make your therapeutic decision.