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[Sciatica caused by lateral stenosis of the spinal canal].
Summary
Surgical decompression for lateral recess syndrome yielded good or excellent results in 70% of 88 patients. This effective treatment for nerve root compression offers significant pain relief, though reoperation may be needed for recurrent symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Surgery
Background:
- Lateral recess syndrome is a condition causing nerve root compression.
- Surgical intervention is considered for persistent symptoms.
- Previous treatments like disc excision and chemonucleolysis were noted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the surgical outcomes for lateral recess syndrome.
- To assess the effectiveness of nerve root decompression.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 88 patients operated for lateral recess syndrome between 1970-1986.
- Preoperative assessment included myelography and CT scans.
- Surgical procedure involved nerve root unroofing, with posterolateral fusion in select cases.
Main Results:
- 70% of patients achieved excellent or good outcomes based on a 20-point rating scale.
- Pain involved one nerve root in 41 cases, two in 8, and three in 1.
- Six patients required reoperation for recurrent pain at different levels or sides.
Conclusions:
- Surgical decompression is an effective treatment for lateral recess syndrome.
- The procedure offers significant pain relief and functional improvement for most patients.
- Careful patient selection and surgical technique are crucial for optimal results.