Evaluation of clinical and radiological outcomes following single level lumbar laminectomy

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a prevalent condition with substantial clinical and socioeconomic impact. In India, approximately 66% of the population is affected, with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) being a common cause. While conservative management including physiotherapy, analgesics, and epidural injections is often effective, some patients require surgical intervention. Lumbar laminectomy with discectomy remains a standard surgical treatment, although the necessity for adjunctive spinal fusion is debated due to concerns about increased cost, post-operative stiffness, and adjacent segment disease. Objectives: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes following single-level lumbar laminectomy in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc prolapse (IVDP). The study focuses on post-operative functional recovery (measured using the Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]), spinal stability (assessed via Meyerding classification), and correlation between clinical and radiological findings, along with complication rates. Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted over a period of two years at tertiary care hospital. Twenty-three patients with single-level IVDP undergoing laminectomy were followed up for 6 months. Clinical outcomes were measured using the ODI, and radiological stability was assessed using the Meyerding classification. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Chi-square tests, and repeated measures ANOVA. Results: ODI scores significantly improved from a mean of 40.26 preoperatively to 20.26 at six months (p