Minimally Invasive Bilateral Decompressive Lumbar Laminectomy with Unilateral Approach Among Obese versus Nonobese...

Decompressive lumbar laminectomy (DLL) is a common procedure for lumbar stenosis. A unilateral approach, unlike the traditional open approach, spares the posterior elements to mitigate the risk of iatrogenic instability associated with a DLL. Various minimally invasive techniques have been described but little attention has been aimed toward this specific microsurgical approach, particularly regarding obese patients. We aimed to compare operative details, perioperative outcomes, and complication profiles between obese and nonobese patients.

One hundred and ninety-four patients who underwent bilateral laminectomy with a unilateral approach by the study surgeon from July 2013 to June 2018 were included. Of these patients, 105 were classified as obese, with body mass index (BMI) ≥30.0 kg/m², and 89 were nonobese, with BMI <30.0 kg/m². The obese and nonobese groups were compared; operative time, blood loss, and complications were assessed.

Operative time was nonsignificantly increased in the obese group (177 vs. 166 minutes; P = 0.21) and estimated blood loss was nonsignificantly lower (91 mL vs. 97 mL; P = 1.00) in the obese group. Durotomy rates (3 [2.9%] obese vs. 2 [2.2%] nonobese; P = 0.789) and postoperative wound drainage rates (4 [3.8%] obese vs. 2 [3.8%] nonobese; P = 0.92) did not significantly differ between the 2 groups. Length of stay was significantly longer in the obese group (1.5 vs. 1.0 days; P = 0.0005).

Compared with the nonobese group, the obese group had significantly longer length of hospitalization, as well as nonsignificantly increased length of operation and decreased blood loss. The 2 groups had similar perioperative complication rates.