• A J Kokkola, O Korkala, J P Kaukonen, and H O Kuokkanen.
• Department of Surgery, Lahti City Hospital, Finland.
• Ann Chir Gynaecol. 1992 Jan 1; 81 (1): 51-3.

AbstractWe carried out a four to twelve year follow-up study in thirteen patients aged 63 years and over who were operated on for lumbar disc herniation. In eleven cases the herniation was at the L 4-5 level and in two at the L 5--S 1 level. Additional bony entrapment was present in eight cases. Simple disc removal through a small laminotomy was performed in eight patients, with a good or excellent result in four cases. Disc removal through a hemilaminectomy or laminectomy with the necessary lateral decompression of the bony entrapment gave a good or excellent result in each of the five patients. It is concluded that disc operation in the elderly usually gives acceptable late results. When even a minor bony stenosis is present at the disc herniation level, hemilaminectomy or even laminectomy should be considered.

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