Lumbar diskectomy with preservation of the ligamentum flavum

RE: Aydin Y, Ziyal IM, Duman H, Türkmen CS, Başak M, Sahin Y. Clinical and radiological results of lumbar microdiskectomy technique with preserving of ligamentum flavum comparing to the standard microdiskectomy technique. Surg Neurol 2002;57:5-14. The authors compare results of surgery in 400 patients who underwent microdiskectomy with preservation of the ligamentum flavum (Group 1) with those of 200 patients operated on by standard microdiskectomy (Group 2). Mean follow-up was 36.8 months in Group 1 and 32.4 months in Group 2; outcome was evaluated clinically and by patient questionnaire. Early clinical outcome was satisfactory in 96.75% of patients in Group 1 and in 81.5% in Group 2; reoperation rates were 4.5% and 9%, respectively. Overall success rate based on the patient questionnaire was 91% in Group 1 and 76% in Group 2. The authors conclude that the ligamentum flavum preservation technique is helpful in achieving good long-term results.