Interlaminar discectomy and selective foraminotomy in lumbar disc herniation.

Abstract

Our objective was to assess the clinical outcome of interlaminar discectomy in patients suffering with degenerated lumbar disc lesions. We made a prospective study of 50 consecutive patients who underwent limited lumbar discectomy. The clinico-radiological parameters, type of surgery performed and the post-operative follow up were assessed. We found that interlaminar discectomy without laminotomy was adequate in 33 cases (66%). Most patients requiring laminotomy (17 cases -34%) for discectomy had associated lumbar canal stenosis, herniation at proximal levels (L3-4) and/or sacralization of L5 vertebra. Selective foraminotomy in addition to discectomy was performed in 28 cases (56%). The post-operative results were good in 43 (86%fair in 6 (12%) and poor subjective in 1 case (2%). No patient was classified as poor objective. In conclusion, interlaminar discectomy without laminotomy is a safe, effective and reliable surgical technique for treating properly selected patients with herniated lumbar disc at L4-5 and L5-S1 levels.