Abstract Introduction: Spinal stenosis of the lumbar area is the most common problem of this area in older patients and surgery is needed in refractory cases. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the surgical outcome of the less invasive decompressive surgery in the patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Materials and Methods: In a retrospective study, we reviewed 50 cases with lumbar spinal stenosis that carried out this type of surgery and followed regularly. For assessing the results, we used anatomical economical functional rating system of Prolo, visual analogue scale and White and Panjabi instability criteria. Results: The patients were followed-up for a mean of 3.5 years (2 to 8) after surgery. Good or excellent results were obtained in 82% of the patients. A significant reduction of the low back pain intensity and disability was seen. Claudication and radicular pain was disappeared in 100% and 94% of them, respectively. Conclusion: Less invasive decompressive surgery by limited laminotomy, undercutting of the facet joints and not doing extensive laminectomy is a safe and reliable surgery for the treatment of the refractory patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Keywords: Outcome Assessment, Spinal Diseases, Spinal Stenosis

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