Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Traditional methods of posterior open-door laminoplasty use intraoperative anatomical landmark location, the location is ambiguous and is easy to be influenced by individual difference of patients, as well as the experience of the surgeon.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy with laminoplasty based on individual accurate transverse diameter of the spinal canal.
METHODS: From January 2006 to December 2009, a total of 119 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with laminoplasty based on individual accurate transverse diameter of the spinal canal. The single-door laminoplasty was improved, and underwent with the laminoplasty based on individual accurate transverse diameter of the spinal canal. The clinical outcome was observed, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and visual analogue scale score prior to and post operation and during follow-up were compared.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: 112 patients were followed-up of average 39 months (range, 15-53 months). Compared with the preoperative, the JOA score of the 6 months postoperative and the last follow-up were significantly increased (P < 0.01). To classify the therapeutic effect in the last follow-up, 57 patients got excellent and 43 got good and the sum was 89.3%. Compared with preoperative, the visual analogue scale score of the 6 months postoperative and the last follow-up were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Only three patients suffered from the palsy of C5 nerve root, and the incidence rate was 2.67%. The laminoplasty based on individual accurate transverse diameter of the spinal canal is proved effective in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy. The method manage to thoroughly decompress and shift backward the spinal cord which benefits on relief of cervical/shoulder pain, lower rate of the palsy of C5 root. And it is practical and easy to be standardized.