Laminectomy combined with posterolateral stabilisation: a muscle-sparing approach to the lumbosacral spine.

We report our experience with a technique of midline posterior decompression in combination with the Wiltse muscle splitting approach for posterolateral spinal fusion and pedicle screw fixation. The technique is suitable for cases of lumbar spinal stenosis and disc herniation where stabilisation is required and has significant advantages over other reported methods. This combined approach has been used in 52 patients since 1990 with no complications from the approach itself.