Unilateral and bilateral partial laminectomy in lumbar disc prolapse. A follow-up study of 156 patients.

The results of two comparable groups of in all 156 operated patients with lumbar disc prolapse were evaluated 4-9 years postoperatively. Sixty-seven patients had received bilateral and 89 unilateral partial laminectomy. At follow-up, the results of the bilaterally operated were all excellent or good, whereas 15% with unilateral exposure were unchanged or worse. The unilaterally operated presented a significantly higher incidence of low back pain and recurrences of sciatica than the bilaterally operated. There were no reoperations for recurrent prolapses following the bilateral approach compared with four after unilateral approach. It is concluded that bilateral partial laminectomy affords a good view of the disc pathology and a greater possibility for obtaining relief of the symptoms without reducing the stability of the column.