LONG-TERM RESULTS OF PARTIAL UNDERCUTTING FACETECTOMY FOR LUMBAR LATERAL RECESS STENOSIS

Study Design. A retrospective review of 57 consecutive patients who ha d a partial undercutting facetectomy for degenerative lumbar lateral r ecess stenosis between 1983 and 1988. Objectives. To evaluate the long -term results of this procedure. Summary of Background Data. Few studi es have been published on the long-term outcome of decompression for l umbar stenosis. Most studies have included central as well as lateral recess stenosis and have not differentiated between the two. Furthermo re, no study has looked at the long-term results of partial undercutti ng facetectomy. Methods. All patients were assessed by standard questi onnaire, clinical examination, and radiography by an independent obser ver. The minimum follow-up period was 5 years (mean, 8.4 years). Resul ts. Overall, 72% had no leg pain, 16% had some leg pain needing occasi onal analgesia, and 12% had severe leg pain needing continual analgesi a. Conclusions. The long-term results of partial undercutting facetect omy are very satisfying.