Degenerative lumbar canal stenosis is a major pathological factor of aged patients with lumbago and leg symptoms. From June, 1979 to June, 1986, 16 patients were operated on. They all suffered from intermittent claudication. Wide laminectomy was done in 9 patients and partial laminectomy in 7 patients. Twelve patients were underwent posterolateral fusion. Meticulous preoperative assessment was essential for this disease. Computed tomography was useful for showing the narrowed area in transverse plane. Radiculography gave us benefit to assess the pathological level in patients with unilateral symptoms. Instability and lumbar kyphosis were main problems due to residual lumbar pain. In cases with multilevel myelographic abnormality, we preferred decompression by partial laminectomy with medial facetectomy in narrowed levels. In cases with complete block or combined ossification of ligamentum fiavum, wide laminectomy should be done.
