Tandem spinal stenosis can be effectively managed by either simultaneous decompression or staged decompression of the cervical and lumbar spine, according to a study published in the Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.
However, there are several factors that can impact outcomes, so the appropriate procedure selection should be tailored to each individual patient. In the study, 21 patients underwent simultaneous decompression of the cervical and lumbar spine and 22 underwent staged decompression of the cervical spine followed by the lumbar spine on a different day.
After an average of seven year follow-ups, both groups improved in the pain and disability score, and there wasn’t a difference in complications between the two groups. The age of the patient (above 68 years), estimated blood loss (over 400 mL) and operative time (longer than 150 minutes) could significantly increase the risk of complications.
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After an average of seven year follow-ups, both groups improved in the pain and disability score, and there wasn’t a difference in complications between the two groups. The age of the patient (above 68 years), estimated blood loss (over 400 mL) and operative time (longer than 150 minutes) could significantly increase the risk of complications.
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