Thomas M, Grant N, Marshall J, Stevens J
Lancet. 1983;2(8365-66):1437-9. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(83)90794-8.
A comparison between 86 patients with low back pain who underwent surgery and 32 who did not showed that laminectomy is an effective treatment for many patients in whom conservative treatment has failed. Surgery should be undertaken sooner rather than later (preferably within a year), both because a good outcome is less likely with longer duration of symptoms and because long periods of disability and time off work can in this way be avoided.
