Lumbar Canal Stenosis: Pre and Post Decompression laminectomy Outcomes in a Single Neurosurgery Private Practice

Abstract

Lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) or Lumbar Spinal Stenosis (LSS) is the most common degenerative condition affecting older adults. The clinical presentation of LCS includes lower back pain, radiating pain, tingling sensation, and numbness in the lower limbs, as well as nocturnal leg cramps, and bladder dysfunction due to neurological compression. Laminectomy is one of the most common procedures performed for the treatment of LCS. This study aimed to examine the pre-surgical presentations and post-surgical outcomes based on the available clinical records from a single neurosurgeon private practice based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The clinical records of 166 patients were extracted and reviewed for clinical presentation notes, surgical notes, post-surgery follow-up letters between 2010 and 2019. Records without follow-up notes were excluded. The presurgical presentation symptoms included lower back pain, weakness, neurogenic claudication, pins and needles, and sensory and motor deficits. Post-surgical outcomes were evaluated based on the 1-month, 3-month, and 1-year follow up based on the notes and letters. Many patients mentioned significant improvement in symptoms immediately after the decompressive laminectomy. Descriptive analysis was performed; the results have been presented as percentages and charts. Post- laminectomy results reported that 87% improvement in back pain and 85% people reported improvements in neurogenic claudication. This study suggested that decompressive laminectomy was effective in the management of LCS. However, further studies are required due to the limitations, such as small population size, data availability, multiple re-presentations, and lack of proper follow-up.