A systematic review 1 including 30 studies with a total of 1 668 subjects was abstracted in DARE. Sample sizes ranged from 8 to 184 (mean 67.5). The methodological design of the included studies is not reported. Decompression only was the procedure with the highest rate of good post-operative results (Z=2.033) followed by decompression and fusion with instrumentation (Z=-0.854). Decompression and fusion without instrumentation showed the lowest rate of good post-operative results (Z=-2.312). In those patients that underwent surgery in the first 7 years of the disease, the best results were obtained by decopression only (p=0.01). In those with a duration of symptoms of 15 years or more, instrumented fusion showed the best post-operative outcome (p=0.01).
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by severe limitations in review methodology (types of studies and quality criteria not reported).
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