Revision decompression with fusion as a treatment for same level restenosis after laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Laminotomy is an established procedure to relieve symptoms of lumbar spinal stenosis. However, there is a group of patients with symptomatic recurrence. Re-decompression and fusion could be an effective salvage procedure but the results are seldom found in the literature. In this study, we focused on investigating the clinical outcomes and complication rates of revision decompression with fusion in this patient group. Methods: A retrospective study including patients who had undergone revision decompression with fusion for recurrent symptoms due to same level restenosis after primary laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis was performed. Patients with recurrent symptoms due to prolapsed intervertebral disc, trauma, infection, and neoplasm were excluded. Demographics, clinical outcomes, and complications were retrieved. Results: Twenty-eight patients with a total number of 42 levels of revision decompression and fusion were included. With a mean follow-up time of 27 months after revision surgery, there were statistically significant improvement of 63, 49, and 13% in Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, visual analog scale for leg pain, and Roland-Morris disability questionnaire score, respectively. There were 6(21%), 2(7%), 0(0%), and 2(7%) cases of dural tear, infection requiring reoperation, new neurological deficit, and other complications, respectively, in these revision cases. Conclusion: Bearing potential complications in mind, re-decompression with fusion is a viable option with reasonable clinical outcomes for patients with recurrent symptoms after laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis. As a treatment option for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis, primary laminotomy could have the potential benefit of lower complication rates in revision surgery.