title: Microsurgical extraforaminal decompression of lumbar root canal stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To decompress the lumbar spinal nerve impinged peripherally to the lateral recess. To avoid in selected cases the pedicle screw fixation and fusion of the segment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single level radiculopathy in degenerative scoliosis or in degenerative disc disease without segmental instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  Scoliosis > 30° at the index level, lateral listhesis > 6 mm, mobile vertebral slip.
  
  
  METHODS
  Microscope from skin to skin. A 35-mm skin incision about 40 mm off the midline. Transmuscular access by blunt splitting of the paravertebral muscles pointing about 40° towards the midline. Insertion of an expandable tubular retractor or of a speculum counter retractor system. Dissection of the target lumbar nerve in the midst of the extraforaminal fat tissue. Enlargment of the root canal mostly by drilling and using thin foot plate punches. The nerve is decompressed from peripherally to the lateral rim of the yellow ligament. Closure by layers. Drainage is usually not required.
  
  
  METHODS
  Same day mobilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical results in 22 cases (15 men) of extraforaminal nerve root involvement were studied. Because of the very selective indication the patients were recruited over a 3-year time-span. The mean age was 64 years (range 50-82 years). An independent follow-up examination was performed 3 months and 1 year following surgery. The mean FU was 27 months (range 41-22 months). According to the modified MacNab criteria, the results were excellent (45%), good (23%), fair (14%), and poor (18%). Four patients underwent second surgery for pedicle screw fixation and fusion. Persistent low back pain was the most common cause of an unsatisfactory postoperative course.
authors: Clinic for Spine Surgery, Schoen Clinic Hamburg Eilbek, Dehnhaide 120, 22081, Hamburg, Germany. lpapavero@schoen-kliniken.de
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Papavero
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Kothe
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000601:surgery*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
references: J Spinal Disord Tech. 2008 Jul;21(5):324-7
references: 18600141
references: Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1991 Nov;16(11):1312-20
references: 1750006
references: Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2011 Jun;54(3):142-6
references: 21863525
references: Oper Orthop Traumatol. 2013 Feb;25(1):47-62
references: 23400667
references: Eur Spine J. 2011 Jun;20(6):947-53
references: 20953638
references: Instr Course Lect. 2002;51:233-41
references: 12064108
references: Acta Neurochir (Wien). 1993;122(1-2):102-4
references: 8333299
references: Spine J. 2003 Nov-Dec;3(6):524-9
references: 14609699
references: Spinal Cord. 1996 Nov;34(11):644-50
references: 8918959