Medial facetectomy in recurrent lumbar nerve root compression

This study investigated the outcome of medial facetectomy in reoperations after a previous discectomy. In a consecutive series of 98 patients with varying combinations of disc herniation, lateral stenosis, and scar, a good or moderate outcome was reached in 57% of the patients. Scar as an operative finding was a significant factor for poor outcome, especially in patients with preoperative symptoms for >1 year.