J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2005 Jun;12(2):101-105. 10.4184/jkss.2005.12.2.101.

Surgical Outcome of Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis in Patients over 70 years old: A Comparative Analysis according to Surgical Method

• Kim WJ
• Kang JW
• Park JG
• Park KY
• Sung HI
• Lee KW
• Kim HY
• Ahn JH
• Lee YK
• Choy WS

• KMID: 1583452
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2005.12.2.101

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study.
OBJECTIVES
To analyze and compare the clinical results of different surgical methods for spinal stenosis, without lumbar instability, in patients over 70 years-old. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Much controversy exists as to the best operative method for spinal stenosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Thirty eight patients that had undergone surgical treatment for spinal stenosis, without lumbar spinal instability, with a mean age of 75.1 years(70 to 91 years) and follow up period was 44 months(24 to 52 months), were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups: * Group A (n=23): posterior decompression alone * Group B (n=15): posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion Clinical outcome and satisfaction were assessed using Bohlman's measurements, on a 10 point pain rating scale, and the clinical outcomes were further analyzed according to the co-morbidity and postoperative complications.
RESULTS
Clinically excellent and good outcomes were achieved in 86.9 and 80.0% in groups A and B, respectively. The 10-points pain scale for low back pain showed improvements in both groups. The co-morbidity did not influence the clinical outcome in either group. There were no serious postoperative complications in either group.
CONCLUSIONS
Posterior decompression alone was an effective surgical method, and was found to be equivalent to posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion in patients over 70 years-old with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and without lumbar spinal instability.

Keyword

Lumbar spinal stenosis; Old age; Posterior fusion; Posterolateral fusion

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Decompression
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Low Back Pain
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Stenosis*

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