OBJECTIVE: to determine the presence or absence of lumbar instability after the execution of unilateral total facetectomy for the root decompression. METHODS: the authors made a retrospective review by clinical and radiological evaluation of 29 discopathy operated patients, during the period from January 1985 to January 1995. These patients presented acute sciatica without previous lumbar pain, and they were submitted to unilateral total facetectomy for the radicular decompression. In this series, all cases needed an excessive manipulation and were under the risks of root lesion. RESULTS: after a follow-up that varied from 9 to 17 years old, the results were excellent for 17 patients, good for 9 and regular for 3. CONCLUSION: in these cases, unilateral total facetectomy was not a determinant factor of lumbar instability.
Lumbar vertebrae; Spine; Low back pain; Intervertebral disk displacement
