ArticleInternational journal of spine surgery2021
Patients Undergoing 3-Level-or-Greater Decompression-Only Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Have Similar Outcomes to Those Undergoing Single-Level Surgery at 2 Years.
Article in International journal of spine surgery, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Single and multilevel decompression alone in patients with multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Neurosurgical review · 2025Pooled it
- Targeting the Symptom-Driving Level in Multilevel Lumbar Stenosis Using Unilateral Biportal Endoscopy: A Strategy Reappraisal.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Reoperation Rates Following Lumbar Decompression Surgery at Three or More Levels.Indian journal of orthopaedics · 2026Article
- Comparative analysis of lumbar spinal decompression: Propensity-matched evaluation of multilevel vs. single-level decompression for spinal stenosis.Brain & spine · 2025Article
- The Influence of Spinous Process Union on Clinical Outcomes After Spinous Process Osteotomy for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis After 2 Years: A Secondary Analysis From the NORDSTEN-Study.International journal of spine surgery · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
11 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundStability following multilevel decompressive laminectomy without fusion has been debated using in vitro biomechanical and radiographic models. However, there is a lack of information regarding clinical outcomes for these patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between clinical outcomes and number of levels decompressed via laminectomy for treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.
methodsWe performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent a primary lumbar laminectomy between 2009 and 2015 by senior orthopedic spine surgeons for lumbar spinal stenosis. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the number of decompression levels: single level or 3 or more levels. Patient-reported outcomes were obtained in the form of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for the back and leg, 12-Item Short Form Mental and Physical Survey scores, and Veterans Rand 12-Item Health Mental and Physical Survey scores.
resultsOverall, 138 consecutive patients were assessed, of which 106 underwent a single-level and 32 underwent a 3-or-more-level laminectomy. Average follow-up was 24.2 months. There were no significant differences in the preoperative VAS back, VAS leg, or ODI scores between the single-level laminectomy and 3-or-more-level laminectomy groups. Both groups of patients experienced significant improvements in these clinical outcomes postoperatively with no clinically significant difference in the degree of improvement. Reoperation rates were low and similar between the 2 groups.
conclusionsPatients undergoing decompression of 3 or more levels present with similar postoperative outcomes to those who undergo a single-level decompression for lumbar spinal stenosis. Under specific clinical and radiographic criteria, a multilevel decompression of 3 or more levels may be a safe and effective procedure with acceptable outcomes at 2 years after surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.
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