[Laminectomy for degenerative spinal stenosis]

Our aim was to find quality indicators like frequency of complications and reoperations in addition to post-operative status and patient satisfaction.

57 patients underwent a follow-up after 5.8 years on average. Most were female and mean age at operation was 60.8 years. Information was obtained from patient records and questionnaires returned by 88.7% of 53 remaining patients.

The perioperative complication rate was 15.8%. Most were light and there was no mortality. Six out of ten patients were satisfied, whereas one of three was not. One out of eight regretted the procedure. Postoperatively three out of five reported a persistent but usually light back problem; the majority of these patients were satisfied. One out of four had changed to less strenuous work; near half of the patients had qualified for a permanent disability pension. Three patients had been reoperated.

Our results compare well with other studies, which are reported and briefly discussed.