[Degenerative lumbar stenosis (author's transl)].

Sixty eight patients with degenerative lumbar stenosis have been operated on: 42 presented a degenerative spondylolisthesis (S.D) with predominantly central stenosis; while in 36 with arthrosic sciatica (S.A.), stenosis was rather lateral. In most cases clinical symptoms are different from those of disc herniation. Myelography with "amipaque" appears necessary to allow a really planified operation, with liberation of all the roots involved by bony compression. In these conditions, a high percentage of good results is obtained. Consequently, after failure of conservative treatment, open release of the compression is advisable, even in elderly patients. In some cases postero-lateral fusion should be performed in addition.