ULTRASOUND-GUIDED DECOMPRESSION OF BILATERAL LUMBAR STENOSIS VIA AN UNILATERAL APPROACH

Problemstellung: Usually, degenerative lumbar stenosis is operated upon via laminectomy or bilateral interlaminar fenestration. Unilateral fenestration and decompression of the contralateral nerve root by “undercutting“ lacks visual control. We evaluated the value of intraoperative ultrasound for reduction of the approach for lumbar stenosis. Methoden: Fifteen patients suffering from bilateral exercise-induced radicular pain caused by lumbar stenosis were operated upon by unilateral interlaminar fenestration on the side of the predominant pain. The contralateral side was decompressed via undercutting. The extent…