Necessity of Fusion Following Decompression Surgery in Patients With Single-level Lumbar Stenosis

laminotomy of the corresponding adjacent vertebrae, partial flavectomy and medial facetectomy are planned to be performed unilaterally. Depending on the surgeon's personal preferences, the following two options are available: 1) equivalent decompression procedure contralaterally and 2) crossover contralateral decompression. Irrespective of the selected option, the spinous process, the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments, part of the facet joints, and the corresponding part of the vertebral arch must be preserved intact in all participants.

First, decompression is performed according to one of the above methods. Next, trans-foraminal interbody fusion with a cage (TLIF) and fixation with pedicle screws are performed.