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Unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis

Part I: Anatomical and surgical considerations

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Summary

A unilateral laminotomy for bilateral access to the lumbar spinal canal was investigated in human cadaver spine specimens to test its practicability in the treatment of spinal stenosis. Microsurgical decompression was performed by partial resection of the ipsilateral facet, the medial portion of the laminar arch, the contralateral facet and by complete removal of the ligamentum flavum. Anatomical, radiological and morphometrical studies on 4 adult cadaver spine specimens have proved the feasibility of this unilateral approach. Complete bilateral flavectomy and partial bilateral facetectomy were the essential surgical steps for an adequate operative decompression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Aachen, Germany

    U. Spetzger, H. Bertalanffy & J. M. Gilsbach

  2. Department of Anatomy, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Aachen, Germany

    C. Naujokat & D. G. v. Keyserlingk

Authors
  1. U. Spetzger
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  2. H. Bertalanffy
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  3. C. Naujokat
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  4. D. G. v. Keyserlingk
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  5. J. M. Gilsbach
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Spetzger, U., Bertalanffy, H., Naujokat, C. et al. Unilateral laminotomy for bilateral decompression of lumbar spinal stenosis. Acta neurochir 139, 392–396 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01808872

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