Our experience with lumbar spinal stenosis in Singapore

This is a study of 34 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis operated in the University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from August 1973 to April 1980. Eleven cases were due to degenerative stenosis, 4 due to degenerative spondylolisthesis, 1 developmental, 3 post-fenestration/laminectomy, 1 post-fusion and 14 cases were due to combined aetiology. The average length of follow-up was 2.3 years. The clinical radiological and operative diagnostic features were analysed. Decompression alone was performed in 16 cases. Discectomy was also carried out in 16 cases and primary fusion in 3 cases. Good relief of backache, sciatica and neurogenic intermittent claudication was achieved in most cases. The majority were also able to return to their previous occupation, the average time taken being 4.9 months. 77% of cases gave either excellent or good results. The complications were spinal instability in 2 cases, impotence in 1 case, intra-operative nerve root damage in 2 cases and superficial wound infection in 1 case. Further surgery (lateral gutter fusion) was performed in only 1 case.