International journal of spine surgery
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Leg pain and back pain after lumbar laminectomy and spinal decompression fusion surgery are common and often related to persistent lumbar foraminal or lateral recess stenosis. Although persistent symptoms often stem from incomplete decompression during the primary index surgery, recurrent symptoms may also be the result of intervertebral cage subsidence due to loss of intervertebral and neuroforaminal height. ⋯ Transforaminal decompression is an effective alternative to open revision lumbar spinal surgery to treat symptomatic spinal stenosis after previous lumbar surgery in patients with persistent or recurrent leg and low back pain. It can be safely done in an outpatient setting, while realizing savings in direct and indirect costs.