The vertebral canal constriction (bony stenosis) is the result of a massive vertebral joint expansion caused by wear and tear (degenerative conditional hypertrophy). This results in compression of the spinal nerve running through the vertebral canal. And that in turn results in chronic lower back pain and a noticeable reduction in walking distance (the so-called claudicatio spinalis). Owing to increasing back and leg pain when walking, the patient must rest frequently (similar to intermittent claudication).

Instead of the conventional complete removal of the semi-circular vertebral canal (laminectomy) and vertebral joints (facetectomy) on both sides with the corresponding risk of surgical-induced instability (vertebral slippage), we prefer a microscopic, one-sided, limited entry to the vertebral canal (decompressive laminotomy). With sufficient relief of the vertebral canal, the load-bearing capacity of the spinal column is better retained.

Surgical technique

In full narcosis, the entry is done either via a micro-trocar or a three millimeter incision. Therefore, we prefer microscopic entry, through which we open the vertebral canal only on one side in order to widen it through a special technique (technical term: undercutting).

Indication

This is a well-suitable procedure for degenerative vertebral canal constrictions (stenosis) of the lumbar spinal column.

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