A. Okawa et al., A CADAVERIC STUDY ON THE STABILITY OF LUMBAR SEGMENT AFTER PARTIAL LAMINOTOMY AND FACETECTOMY WITH INTACT POSTERIOR LIGAMENTS, Journal of spinal disorders, 9(6), 1996, pp. 518-526
This study aimed to biomechanically investigate a change in the stabil
ity of decompressed segments in the degenerative lumbar spine. Cyclic
loading tests to the cadaveric spinal unit were conducted in compressi
ve and bending directions with a stepwise resection of the posterior e
lements such as wide fenestration (partial laminotomy), unilateral and
bilateral facetectomy with the intact supra- and interspinous ligamen
ts and spinous process. Flexion stability did not decrease significant
ly, and may reflect the fact that the aforementioned ligamentous struc
tures were preserved throughout the resection process. After wide fene
stration, the loss of compression stiffness amounted to only half that
of bilateral facetectomy, and extension stiffness dropped to this sam
e level. Lateral bending stiffness was maintained until unilateral fac
etectomy was performed. We recommend restricted decompression surgerie
s for a single-level central stenosis in the degenerative lumbar spine
.