Transpedicular Screw instrumentation and Spinal Fusion after Laminectomy in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Kim, Nam Hyun; Lee, Hwan Mo; Kang, Yang Ho

Abstract

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a common category of spinal disease in which a decrease in the volume of the spinal canal results in compression of the neural elements. Its pressure symptoms are characterized by vague back-pain and chronic sciatica. The goals of surgical treatment in lumbar spinal stenosis are the relief of pain and the preservation or restoration of neurologic function. Extensive laminectomy in lumbar spinal stenosis results in postoperative instability and postoperative vertebral subluxation with pain, restricted movement, and further neural compression occurs after decompressive laminectomy. Therefore internal fixation devices have been used in these circumstances to prevent postoperative instability while the fusion being consolidated. From February 1988 to October 1988, 36 patients of lumbar spinal stenosis had undergone operations with decompressive laminectomy and segmental spinal instrumentation with transpedicular screws at the department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine. In 18 patients degenerative changes in lumbar spine were the principal aetiologic factor:7 patients had spondylolisthetic spinal stenosis:ll patients had combined spinal stenosis. All patients were followed up for periods varying between twelve and ninteen months. According to Kim's criteria, the postoperative results were as follows;excellent in 17 cases(47.2% ), good in 15 cases(41.7% ) and fair in 4 cases(11.1% ). The study revealed that segmental spinal instrumentation with transpedicular screws provided a rigid fixation, early ambulation, minimal fusion and reducing of recovery period were possible. In conclusion, segmental spinal instrumentation with transpedicular screws is a good and reliable method of stabilization after extensive decompressive laminectomy.