Comparison of Single-Level and Multilevel Decompressive Laminectomy for Multilevel Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify whether multiple compressions of nerve roots resulted in poorer surgical outcome when patients were treated with single-level decompressive laminectomy or multilevel decompressive laminectomy. To reach this we compared preoperative and postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, and walking duration of multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients treated with single-level and multilevel decompressive laminectomy. METHODS: This retrospective study included 112 consecutive patients undergoing lumbar decompressive surgery without arthrodesis for LSS between March 2010 and September 2013. Forty-eight patients were treated with single-level laminectomy and 64 patients were treated with multilevel laminectomy. ODI scores, VAS scores, and walking duration were measured for all patients preoperatively and 30 months after decompressive surgery. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 64.41 +/- 13.4 years. The ODI scores, VAS scores, and walking duration difference between patients treated with single-level laminectomy and multilevel laminectomy were statistically significant and higher for the first group (P < 0.05). There were more operative complications in patients treated with multilevel decompressive laminectomy; however, there was no statistically significant difference between single-level and multilevel decompressed patients regarding complications (P = 0.119). Four of the patients treated with multilevel decompressive laminectomy experienced postoperative spondylolisthesis needing posterior instrumented fusion. CONCLUSION: Recovery in terms of ODI scores, VAS scores, and walking duration was better in LSS patients undergoing single-level laminectomy than in those undergoing multilevel laminectomy. Also, the rates of operative complications and postoperative follow-up spondylolisthesis were higher in patients treated with multilevel laminectomy.