UNILATERAL HEMILAMINECTOMY FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE SPINAL SPACE-OCCUPYING LESIONS

In this study we have evaluated 40 patients with spinal lesions with r espect to the value of unilateral hemilaminectomy. Our case study grou p included 29 intradural extramedullary, 6 intramedullary, and 5 extra dural tumors. The thoracic spinal cord was involved in 17, the lumbar region in 13, and the cervical spinal cord in 10 cases. The mean age o f the 20 males and 20 females was 35 (range 6-71). The rationale for c hoosing a unilateral approach is to preserve musculoligamentous attach ments and bony posterior elements as much as possible. We did not obse rve any complication relating to unilateral hemilaminectomy. The patie nts were mobilized the following day after surgery or given rehabilita tion therapy beginning on the second postoperative day without the use of any external support. At follow-up evaluation, a mean of 32 months postoperatively, none of the patients showed spinal deformity or spin al instability.