Single level lumbar laminectomy alters segmental biomechanical behavior without affecting adjacent segments

• We studied the biomechanical effects of laminectomy on treated and adjacent levels
• Whole human cadaveric lumbar spines were used in a submaximal test setup
• Laminectomy increased range of motion of treated levels, stiffness was not affected
• No substantial effects on adjacent levels were demonstrated
• The need for stabilizing techniques after lumbar laminectomy was not substantiated

BackgroundDegenerative lumbar spinal stenosis causes neurological symptoms due to neural compression. Lumbar laminectomy is a commonly used treatment for symptomatic degenerative spinal stenosis. However, it is unknown if and to what extent single level laminectomy affects the range of motion and stiffness of treated and adjacent segments. An increase in range of motion and a decrease in stiffness are possible predictors of post-operative spondylolisthesis or spinal failure.MethodsTwelve cadaveric human lumbar spines were obtained. After preloading, spines were tested in flexion-extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. Subsequently, single level lumbar laminectomy analogous to clinical practice was performed at level lumbar 2 or 4. Thereafter, load–deformation tests were repeated. The range of motion and stiffness of treated and adjacent segments were calculated before and after laminectomy. Untreated segments were used as control group. Effects of laminectomy on stiffness and range of motion were tested, separately for treated, adjacent and control segments, using repeated measures analysis of variance.FindingsRange of motion at the level of laminectomy increased significantly for flexion and extension (7.3%), lateral bending (7.5%), and axial rotation (12.2%). Range of motion of adjacent segments was only significantly affected in lateral bending (− 7.7%). Stiffness was not affected by laminectomy.InterpretationThe increase in range of motion of 7–12% does not seem to indicate the use of additional instrumentation to stabilize the lumbar spine. If instrumentation is still considered in a patient, its primary focus should be on re-stabilizing only the treated segment level.