Prolapsed intervertebral disc.

BACKGROUND: Fenestration is a simple, superior and economic operation than laminectomy microdiscectomy and percutaneous discectomy, which require costly & sophisticated set ups. Fenestration provided the excellent results comparable to laminectomy procedure, and at the same time preserved the spinal stability and provided the early mobility & early return to previous job. To analyses the results of lumbar disc prolapsed operated by fenestration or laminectomy so as to access the suitability of the technique. To calculate the relative percentage of patients relieved of any or all of backache, sciatica, neurological deficit & return to previous job following surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It is a prospective study of 47 cases of prolapsed lumber inter vertebral disc. The cases of low backache and sciatica identified to treat them surgically for disc prolapsed where it is indicated and to compare the results with other methods and series. patients with clinical signs and symptoms of prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc having radiological correlation by MRI study were subjected to disc excision by interlaminar fenestration method. RESULTS: Results of operation in our series were excellent (23.9%), good (56.52%), fair (17.2%), poor (2.17%). None of our patients became worse after surgery. Average follow up period was 18.63 months. CONCLUSION: Interlaminar fenestration and open disc excision under direct vision offers sufficient adequate exposure for lumbar disc excision with a smaller incision, lesser morbidity and shorter convalescence . . Results showed that standard discectomy procedure is as good as fenestration , but Post operative results of fenestration were far superior then standard operation, patient returned to their usual activities in half the time.