POSTERIOR AND ANTERIOR DECOMPRESSION-STABILIZATION SURGERY FOR ONE-LEVEL COMBINED LATERAL LUMBAR SPINAL STENOSIS

Objective. To evaluate therapeutic feasibility of posterior and anterior decompression-stabilization operations for combined lateral stenosis in the lumbar spine. Material and Methods. Prospective randomized controlled trial included review of medical records of 96 patients using the method of continuous sampling. Patients with radicular compression syndrome caused by combined lateral stenosis of the lumbar spine were treated in accordance with a single protocol in three specialized neurosurgical clinics. Patients in the first group (n = 47) underwent posterior decompression-stabilization operations with posterior foraminotomy, and patients in the second group (n = 49) - anterior decompression-stabilization operations with anterior foraminotomy. Results. Assessment of changes in functional ability (Oswestry scale), pain (VAS), and neurological symptoms showed comparable results of posterior and anterior decompression-stabilization procedures in both groups. Conclusion. Combined lateral stenosis with a prevalence of anterior localization of compression substrates should be preferably treated by anterior decompression-stabilization operation with anterior foraminotomy, whereas the prevalence of posterior root compression by articular processes entophytes or migrating disc herniation requires posterior decompression-stabilization operation.