title: Late laminectomy in traumatic paraplegia.
abstract: Long-term observation in cases of spinal injury with subarachnoid block, treated by laminectomy and removal of compressing elements, shows worthwhile results in a good percentage. Twenty-seven cases of fractures of the spine at the dorsolumbar and lumbar levels with conus and cauda equina injury were treated by laminectomy and decompression from 6 to 12 weeks after the injury, and have been followed for periods of 3-27 years. Surgical intervention was offered only in those cases in which myelography demonstrated a subarachnoid block. Most of the cases were operated on at 6-12 weeks after the injury. Displaced laminae, thickened ligamentum flavum, and arachnoidal adhesions were the common causes of compression. In six cases there was also an arachnoid cyst. Long-term follow-up showed improvement in bladder function in 14 of 27 patients, and in motor function in 8 of 27. In dorsolumbar and lumbar injuries in which there is a subarachnoid block, decompressive laminectomy is a worthwhile procedure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors