UNILATERAL LAMINOTOMY FOR BILATERAL DECOMPRESSION OF LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS .1. ANATOMICAL AND SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS

A unilateral laminotomy for bilateral access to the lumbar spinal cana l was investigated in human cadaver spine specimens to test its practi cability in the treatment of spinal stenosis. Microsurgical decompress ion was performed by partial resection of the ipsilateral facet, the m edial portion of the laminar arch, the contralateral facet and by comp lete removal of the ligamentum flavum. Anatomical, radiological and mo rphometrical studies on 4 adult cadaver spine specimens have proved th e feasibility of this unilateral approach. Complete bilateral flavecto my and partial bilateral facetectomy were the essential surgical steps for an adequate operative decompression.