Minimally Invasive Microscopic Decompression for Focal Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis

Abstract Background: Lumbar canal stenosis is the reduction of the surface area of the spinal canal and it is a prevalent disease which has several etiologies. It is a gradual degenerative and aging process. The cut off is the anteroposterior diameter is 12mm of the spinal canal below that it is relative stenosis and below 10mm it is absolute stenosis. Causes of canal stenosis include congenital and acquired causes (degenerative, spond-ylolithetic and iatrogenic). It is anatomically classified into central, lateral recess foraminal and extraforaminal. Micro-scopic unilateral laminectomy for bilateral decompression is a recently developed minimally invasive technique for decom-pression of the spinal canal with unilateral exposure minimizing soft tissue trauma. Aim of Study: To evaluate the outcome of the procedure and its efficacy in relieving symptoms. Patients and Methods: A prospective study including 32 patients with single level focal lumbar canal stenosis were included, perioperative assessment with history taking full neurological examination VAS score for pain is done, all had minimally invasive microscopic decompression via a unilateral approach postoperative status complications VAS score was done at 1,3 and 6th months intervals also patient satisfaction was considered. Results: Thirty two patients were included all had focal type stenosis, 27 at L4, 4 at L3 and one at L5. Sixty percent relieved at first month ,95% at 3 month and five percent were not satisfied. Conclusion: The technique is a good option with fast recovery and early ambulation with less post-operative back pain.