Cervical laminoplasty to enlarge the spinal canal in multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament with myelopathy

Summary We studied 23 patients with severe myeloradiculopathy involving multiple (more than three) levels of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine, who were treated with laminoplasty to enlarge the spinal canal. The resected spinous processes were used as bone grafts to support the opened laminae. These patients were analyzed pre- and postoperatively with a neurological evaluation according to the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score system for cervical myelopathy. Follow-up was from 2.0 to 5.3 years with an average of 31.5 months. The results were compared with those in 31 patients with the same degree (multilevel) of OPLL who had been operated upon previously by laminectomy (14 cases) or anterior resection (17 cases). Postoperative neurological recovery by improvement ratio of the JOA score was observed in 81.2% of those who had undergone expansive laminoplasty, in 72.4% of those with laminectomy, and in 63.6% of those with anterior decompression. We concluded that expansive laminoplasty is a safer procedure with fewer complications. Stability is achieved by fixing the expanded laminae permanently with a bone graft. The neurological recovery following our technique of laminoplasty and fusion appears to be superior to that with laminectomy or anterior decompression.

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Zusammenfassung Wir haben 23 Patienten mit schwerem Myeloradikulopathie, begleitet von verschiedenen Stufen der Ossifikation des Ligamentum longitudinalis posterior der Hals-Wirbelsäule untersucht. Diese Patienten wurden mit Wirbelbogenplastik behandelt, um den Wirbelkanal auszuweiten. Der entfernte Wirbeldornfortsatz wurde als Knochentransplantat verwendet, um den geöffneten Wirbelbogen zu stabilisieren. Die Patienten unterzogen sich der Analyse der neurologischen Auswertung aufgrund des Punktzahlsystems der Japanischen Orthopädischen Gesellschaft (JOG) für Zervikalrückenmarksleiden vor und nach Operation. Die weitere Verfolgung der Operationsergebnisse fand 2,0 bis 5,3 Jahre lang statt. Diese Ergebnisse wurden mit denselben von 31 Fällen mit den gleichen Stufen der OPLL verglichen, die früher entweder mit Laminektomie (14 Fälle) oder ventraler Dekompression (17 Fälle) operiert worden waren. Die neurologische Wiederherstellung nach Operation mit expansiver Wirbelbogenplastik, die als Verbesserungsverhältnis der JOG Punktzahl dargestellt werden kann, wurde beobachtet und betrug 81,2%, während sie 72,4% durch Laminektomie und 63,6% durch ventrale Dekompression betrug. Wir haben die Schlussfolgerung gezogen, daß die expansive Wirbelbogenplastik eine sichere Operationstechnik sei und wenig Komplikationen habe. Die Stabilität wurde dauerhaft durch Fixierung des expansiven Wirbelbogens mit Knochentransplantation gewonnen. Die neurologische Wiederherstellung aufgrund unserer Operationstechnik der Wirbelbogenplastik und Spondylodese scheint günstiger als Laminektomie bzw. ventrale Dekompression zu sein.

     

Expansive laminoplasty for myelopathy in ossification of the longitudinal ligament

Laminectomy, which had long been used for treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including ossification of the longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine, had numerous complications such as postoperative malalignment of the cervical spine and vulnerability of the spinal cord caused by total removal of the posterior structures. In 1977 Hirabayashi devised an open door expansive laminoplasty, which is a relatively easier and safer procedure than laminectomy, that eliminated such problems by preserving the posterior elements. The decompression effect of the expansive laminoplasty against a compressed spinal cord is comparable with that of laminectomy and anterior decompression followed by fusion, whereas the expansive laminoplasty has no structural problems and adverse effects on adjacent disc levels that often are associated with anterior decompression followed by fusion. Average recovery rate of expansive laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy has been reported to be approximately 60% (Japanese Orthopaedic Association score) and with long term stability. At present, authors consider all patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy candidates for expansive laminoplasty except for those having preoperative kyphosis and single level lesion without canal stenosis. Two remaining problems of expansive laminoplasty to be solved are prevention of C5,C6 radicular pain and/or paresis, the most frequent complication that occurs in approximately 5% to 10% of the patients, although most complications resolve spontaneously within 2 years, and correction of nonlordotic alignment to lordosis which are essential for posterior decompression effect of expansive laminoplasty by allowing the spinal cord to shift dorsally.     

Comparison of the results of laminectomy and open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Laminectomy was performed on 14 patients with cervical radiculomyelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Since 1978, simple open-door laminoplasties have been performed on 75 patients. A retrospective study was done to determine if there was any difference between the results of laminectomy and laminoplasty. Overall results of laminectomy were as follows: The preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 7.0 points and the postoperative score was 15.0 points. Overall results of laminoplasty were as follows: the preoperative JOA score was 7.0 points and the postoperative score was 15.0 points. The percentage improvement in laminectomy was 81.1%, and in laminoplasty was 81.4%. There was no significant difference in the results of these two procedures for the treatment of patients with cervical radiculomyelopathy and OPLL.     

颈椎后路三种手术方式对改善多节段颈椎病生理曲度及疗效的远期观察

[目的]本研究通过回顾性分析行颈椎后路手术的多节段脊髓型颈椎病合并后纵韧带骨化(ossificationofposteriorlongitudinalligament.OPLL)患者的颈椎曲率变化、JOA评分改善率以及颈肩轴性痛VAS评分改善率,比较颈椎后路三种手术方式对改善颈椎曲度、神经功能及轴性症状的远期影响.[方法]根据手术方式分三组:A组颈椎后路单开门椎管扩大成形术29例,B组颈椎后路全椎板切除术23例,C组颈椎后路全椎板切除侧块螺钉内固定术26例,记录术前、术后的颈椎曲度、JOA评分及轴性症状等.[结果]JOA评分改善率:3组患者术后与术前相比均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).末次随访时c组最高.颈椎曲度改善率:C组最好,A组次之,B组最差.并发症发生情况:在轴性症状上,3组的VAS评分两两比较有统计学意义(P＜0.05),B组最高,A组次之,C组最低.[结论]采用颈椎后路三种手术方式治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病合并OPLL均能达到良好的疗效.颈椎后路全椎板切除侧块螺钉内固定术可有效改善神经功能,恢复和保持颈椎曲度,降低轴性症状及C5神经根麻痹发生率.     

单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术在颈椎病再手术中的应用及疗效分析

目的 评价应用单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术进行颈椎病再手术的适应证及临床疗效.方法 自2003年2月至2009年6月,对15例颈椎前路融合术后症状复发或加重的患者行后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术.分析再手术的原因和疾病进展过程,采用日本骨科学会制定的JOA评分系统评估患者脊髓神经功能恢复情况,Nurick分级评价患者行走功能.结果 1例失随访,1例术后随访时间过短,未统计入本组.其余13例患者随访时间13～52个月,平均26个月.前后两次手术间隔时间为5个月～6年,平均24个月.再手术原因包括:邻近节段退变压迫颈髓2例,首次手术减压不彻底5例,后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)误诊颈椎病4例,局限型OPLL进展2例.再手术均采用C3-6或C7后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术.13例患者JOA评分术前和末次随访时分别为10.5和13.8分(P＜0.05),平均神经功能改善率为53.0%.Nurick分级术前和随访时分别为3.1和1.9级(P＜0.05),平均改善1.2级.术后并发症包括脑脊液漏1例,颈肩部轴性痛1例,C5神经根麻痹l例.结论 对于颈椎前路融合术后减压不彻底、邻近节段退变或OPLL进展导致症状复发者采用后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术可以有效缓解脊髓压迫,改善脊髓神经功能,避免再次经前方入路引起的手术风险.     

分期治疗颈椎黄韧带骨化合并后纵韧带骨化症

目的回顾性分析分期后前路手术治疗颈椎黄韧带骨化(ossification of ligamentum flavum,OLF)合并后纵韧带骨化(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)的临床疗效。方法完整随访手术治疗的颈椎OLF合并OPLL患者18例,一期行后路椎板成形术,术后严密观察6~9个月,一期术后症状改善有限,影像学检查发现前方骨化的韧带压迫脊髓,二期行前路椎体次全切除并切除骨化的韧带+植骨内固定术。术前、一期和二期术后行JOA评分并计算恢复率,测量颈椎前凸值,比较术前、术后颈椎前凸值、JOA评分和恢复率。结果椎板成形术后出现不全瘫痪症状加重者1例,C5神经根麻痹症状1例,脑脊液漏3例;二期前路手术后出现脑脊液漏2例,神经根麻痹2例,保守治疗后痊愈。平均随访时间26.3个月,术前JOA评分(7.2±1.3)分,颈椎前凸值(5.7±4.1)°;一期术后JOA评分(12.6±3.8)分,改善率为(51.6±19.3)%,颈椎前凸值(9.3±3.8)°;二期术后JOA评分(14.8±1.6)分,改善率为(72.7±13.4)%,颈椎前凸值(15.5±3.2)°。JOA评分、改善率以及颈椎前凸值在一期、二期术后与术前相比差异均有统计学意义,P0.05。结论分期后前路手术治疗可明显改善OLF合并OPLL患者术后JOA评分、恢复率和颈椎前凸值,是治疗OLF合并OPLL的一种良好方式。     

Surgical outcome of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the thoracic spine: implication of the type of ossification and surgical options

OBJECTIVE: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine produces myelopathy through anterior spinal cord compression that is usually progressive and unaffected by conservative treatment. Therefore, early decompressive surgery is imperative. However, decompression surgery of thoracic myelopathy is difficult, and the outcome is often poor. A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the surgical outcome of 21 patients with thoracic OPLL to evaluate which type of surgical approach is better and which type of thoracic OPLL results in a better surgical outcome. METHODS: A total of 21 patients with thoracic OPLL (10 men and 11 women; mean age 54 years), who underwent surgical treatment at our department from March 1985 to October 2000, were included in the study. Seven patients exhibited the flat-type OPLL and underwent either anterior decompression and fusion (one patient), anterior decompression via a posterior approach (three patients), or expansive laminoplasty (three patients). Fourteen patients exhibited the beak-type OPLL and also underwent either anterior decompression and fusion (two patients), anterior decompression via a posterior approach (six patients), or expansive laminoplasty (six patients). RESULTS: Regarding of operative time and blood loss, there were no marked differences between the two types of OPLL, regardless of the type of surgical procedure; anterior decompression and fusion and anterior decompression via a posterior approach yielded longer operative times and larger blood loss volumes than expansive laminoplasty. Concerning clinical outcome, there were five cases of neurologic deterioration. All of the five deteriorated cases were of the beak-type OPLL treated by a posterior approach. Two of these patients were treated with expansive laminoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: There were five instances of neurologic deterioration in our thoracic OPLL series, and all of them exhibited beak-type OPLL. In the beak-type OPLL, a subtle alteration in the spinal alignment during posterior decompression procedures may increase spinal cord compression, leading to the deterioration of symptoms. A potential increase in kyphosis following laminectomy should be avoided by fixation with a temporary rod. If intraoperative monitoring suggests spinal cord dysfunction, an anterior decompression procedure should be attempted as soon as possible.     

Treatment of myelopathy due to cervicothoracic OPLL via open door laminoplasty

STUDY DESIGN: Postoperative long-term follow-up study of open door laminoplasty for the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine. OBJECTIVES: Techniques and outcomes of open door laminoplasty were described. The efficacy of this procedure was discussed and compared with other surgical methods for thoracic OPLL reported in the literature. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: OPLL of the thoracic spine is often associated with cervical OPLL or ossification of the yellow ligament (OYL) of the thoracic spine; therefore, it is extremely difficult to determine the most appropriate surgical therapeutic procedure. There are very few detailed reports about extensive laminoplasty for OPLL of the thoracic spine. METHODS: The subjects included in this study consisted of 13 consecutive patients of thoracic OPLL who were surgically treated between 1994 and 2003 by the open door laminoplasty using the spinal processes and ligament complex as spacers for the open side. The number of manipulated lamina, including the cervical spine, was from 7 to 14 (mean 10 laminae), the follow-up period was 75 months on average. We evaluated the clinical symptoms by the JOA scoring method and postoperative bone union and thoracic kyphosis by plain x-ray photograph and computed tomography. RESULTS: Postoperatively, the JOA score improved from an average of 5.5 to 8.5 out of a maximum of 11 points and the mean recovery rate by Hirabayashi method was 54.5%. In all cases, bone union was seen at the hinge side between the opened lamina and the lateral mass. Neither restenosis of the opened lamina nor marked progression of kyphosis were seen on the final follow-up observation in any patient. There was no postoperative spinal cord injury. CONCLUSIONS: Open door laminoplasty is a useful procedure for OPLL of the thoracic spine. This method enables wide-range posterior decompression, especially for the continuous type OPLL extending from the cervical spine to the thoracic spine, even if the apex of the thoracic kyphosis is included.     

颈椎后纵韧带骨化的治疗方法

从１９８３年８月至１９９１年３月，手术治疗６３例颈韧后纵韧带骨化（ＯＰＬＬ）的患者。手术方法包括前路椎间减压融合，椎体次全切除植骨融合、后路全椎板切除。单开门椎板成形椎管扩大手术、双开门椎板成形椎管扩大手术，及前后路两次手术。随诊６到９６个月，疗效为３９例代。１６例良，优良率８７．２％。本文讨论了前路椎间减压、椎体次全切除及后路椎板成形椎管扩大手术的方法。作者认为对ＯＰＬＬ伴广泛性椎管狭窄者以后路双开门椎板成形椎管扩大手术较为合理。     

The effect of multiple lesions in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine

PurposeOssification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine (cervical OPLL) is associated with the lesions at the thoracic and/or lumbar spine. Multiple spinal lesions cause additional neurological deficit, affecting the outcomes of cervical laminoplasty. This study aimed to clarify the effect of multiple lesions on the outcomes of cervical laminoplasty and to compare the results with data from patients without them.MethodsFrom April 1981 to October 2015, 201 patients underwent laminoplasty for cervical OPLL; however, 167 patients were followed for >2 years. Twenty-four patients underwent additional surgery for multiple lesions due to spinal stenosis. The pathologies of the lesions were assessed. The patients were divided into two groups: the thoracic and thoraco-lumbar group (T-group: 8 patients) and the lumbar group (L-group: 16 patients). One-hundred patients without an additional surgery served as the control group. The maximum Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the most recent score for recovery was compared between the multiple and control groups.ResultsThe maximum score and recovery rate and the score and recovery rate at the last follow-up in the multiple group were lower than those in the control group. There was no significant difference in the postoperative JOA score and recovery rate between the T-group and the L-group.ConclusionsNeurological recovery in patients with multiple lesions was poorer than in those without lesions. Therefore, special attention should be paid to cervical OPLL with multiple spinal lesions.     

Is anterior decompression and fusion superior to laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy due to ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Considerable controversy exists over surgical procedures for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).Objective: The purpose of the meta-analysis was to compare the clinical outcome of anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) with laminoplasty (LAMP) in treatment of cervical myelopathy due to OPLL.Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials database were searched to identify potential clinical studies compared ADF with LAMP for cervical myelopathy owing to OPLL. We also manually searched the reference lists of articles and reviews for possible relevant studies. Thirteen studies with 1120 patients were included in our analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed by the canal occupying ratio of OPLL.Results: Overall, the mean preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was similar between two groups. Compared with LAMP group, ADF group was higher at the mean postoperative JOA scores and mean recovery rate, reoperation rate, and longer at mean operation time. There was not significantly different in mean blood loss and complication rate between two groups. In subgroup analysis, ADF had a higher mean postoperative JOA score and recovery rate than LAMP in cases of OPLL with occupying ratios ≥ 50%, while those difference were not found in cases of OPLL with occupying ratios < 50%.Conclusion: ADF achieves better neurological improvement compared with LAMP in treatment of cervical myelopathy due to OPLL, especially in cases of OPLL with occupying ratios ≥ 50%. Complication rate is similar between two groups, but ADF can increase the risk of reoperation     

严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症前路和后路手术比较

目的 探讨前路和后路手术治疗严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的适应证选择、疗效及并发症.方法 2004年1月至2006年12月,手术治疗椎管狭窄率大于50%的严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症患者34例(男29例,女5例,平均57.2岁),前路采用椎体次全切除减压钛网植骨内固定术14例(男12例,女2例),后路采用椎板切除减压侧块螺钉固定术20例(男17例,女3例).比较两种手术方式患者的颈椎管矢状径、颈椎曲度、椎管狭窄率、骨化物分型、骨化物范围、脊髓压迫率等的差异.采用JOA评分评价患者术前、术后神经功能,并计算改善率.结果 影像学结果显示前路手术主要为范围在3个节段以内的局限型和分节型骨化患者,而后路手术主要为范围超过3节段的连续型和混合型骨化患者,骨化物的分型及范围是选择的主要依据.所有患者随访6个月～3年,平均1.5年.前路手术组JOA评分从术前平均(9.3+1.8)分提高至术后平均(14.2±1.3)分,平均改善率62.3%±15.2%;后路手术组JOA评分从术前平均(8.7+1.6)分提高至术后平均(11.4±1.2)分,平均改善率33.5%±12.7%.两组患者疗效差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 对于骨化范围在3个节段以内的患者,前路手术是安全、有效的治疗方式,而后路手术则适用于范围超过3个节段的严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症患者.     

节段型严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症前路、后路手术的疗效比较与选择策略

 目的 探讨前路和后路手术治疗节段型严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的疗效与选择策略。方法 2007年1月至2011年5月,手术治疗59例节段型严重颈椎后纵韧带骨化症患者,男41例,女18例;年龄43～73岁,平均55.7岁。24例行前路椎体次全切减压植骨融合内固定术,35例行后路全椎板减压侧块螺钉内固定术。比较两组患者的手术时间、出血量、整体和节段曲度变化、并发症等情况;采用日本骨科协会评分(Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores,JOA)评估手术前后的神经功能并计算改善率。结果 所有患者随访12～18个月,平均15.4个月。前路手术组患者JOA评分术前平均为(7.33±1.09)分,末次随访时平均为(13.63±0.82)分,改善率为65.16%±7.50%;后路手术组患者JOA评分术前平均为(7.20±1.05)分,末次随访时平均为(12.23±1.11)分,改善率为51.46%±9.64%,两组间差异有统计学意义。手术部位的节段曲度术后即刻均较术前明显增加,前路手术组为5.38°±1.14°,后路手术组为3.89°±1.65°,差异有统计学意义。末次随访时颈部轴性症状发生率前路手术组为20.83%,后路手术组为51.43%,差异有统计学意义。结论 对于骨化范围在3个节段以内的严重后纵韧带骨化症患者,前路手术能直接去除压迫,神经功能恢复良好,并有效地恢复颈椎曲度,术后轴性症状发生率低;后路手术在减压同时应用侧块螺钉内固定,能较好地维持减压节段的曲度。     

手术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的效果及影响因素

目的:探讨手术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)的疗效及其影响因素.方法:2000年4月～2006年4月在我院接受手术治疗并得到随访的颈椎OPLL患者共53例,男性36例,女性17例.术前JOA评分3-12分,平均8.5±3.1分.神经症状出现时间2～81周,平均27.4±15.6周.选择术前压迫最重节段CT层面测量发育椎管面积、骨化韧带面积,计算出脊髓受压比率(骨化韧带面积/发育椎管面积),随访时测量同节段椎管扩大比率.30例采用单纯后路手术,13例行一期前后路手术,4例先行后路再行前路手术,6例单纯行前路减压.利用统计学分析软件SPSS 12.0将脊髓受压比率、术前JOA评分、手术后椎管扩大比率、手术方式选择、患者年龄、神经症状出现时间等因素与手术后JOA评分改善率进行多元相关分析.结果:随访29～101个月,平均46±16个月,术后1年JOA评分改善率为30%～72%,平均53.1%±11.4%,末次随访时JOA评分改善率为28%～68%,平均52.8%±10.5%;脊髓受压比率、术前JOA评分、手术时患者年龄与手术后JOA评分改善率之间存在相关关系,手术入路、症状持续时间、手术后椎管扩大比率与疗效无显著相关关系.结论:选择恰当的术式手术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症可取得较满意的临床效果,脊髓受压严重程度、患者年龄和术前神经功能状态与疗效有相关关系.     

单开门颈椎管成形联合单侧侧块固定术治疗颈椎伤病

目的探讨单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病的可行性和疗效。方法利用单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病患者16例,手术减压节段包括C3~53个节段2例,C3~64个节段5例,C3~75个节段9例。手术方式均采用单开门颈椎管扩大成形,门轴侧行侧块螺钉钢板内固定,并大量植骨。结果术中及术后均未发生脊髓、神经根及血管副损伤。全部患者平均随访18个月,术后3个月时JOA评分从术前的7.9分提高到13.1分。随访期间未见内固定物移位断裂及椎板再关门现象,门轴侧骨折处骨质融合。结论单开门颈椎管扩大成形单侧侧块内固定联合植骨术治疗颈椎伤病疗效安全可靠,经济实用,在椎管扩大成形获得即刻稳定的同时,提高植骨融合率,减少后凸畸形及失稳的发生率,减少椎板再关门现象。     

Laser-assisted anterior cervical corpectomy versus posterior laminoplasty for cervical myelopathic patients with multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on the comparative results of a series of patients with multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) who were treated with laser-assisted anterior corpectomy or laminoplasty. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (21 patients with anterior corpectomy and 27 patients with laminoplasty) with cervical OPLL involvement of three or more vertebral bodies were retrospectively reviewed. Both pre- and postoperatively neurological status was graded according to the Nurick grading system. The anteroposterior (AP) diameter change at the narrowest part of the spinal canal, the change in the regional and the overall cervical Cobb's angle, and the change in cervical range of motion (ROM) were all measured. The mean follow-up periods were 21.8 mo and 29.1 mo for the corpectomy and laminoplasty patients, respectively. RESULTS: The mean changes in the pre- to postoperative Nurick grades were 1.9 for the corpectomy group and 1 for the laminoplasty group (p < 0.05). The mean changes in the pre- to postoperative spinal canal AP diameters were 9.1 mm and 4.11 mm, respectively, for the corpectomy group and the laminoplasty group (p < 0.05). The mean changes of the regional Cobb's angle were 1.7 degrees and -3.1 degrees (p = 0.06), and the mean changes of the overall cervical Cobb's angle were 1.1 degrees and -1.6 degrees , respectively, for the corpectomy group and the laminoplasty group (p > 0.05). The changes in the cervical degree of ROM were -19.6 degrees and -19.7 degrees , respectively, for the corpectomy group and the laminoplasty group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Direct decompression of the spinal cord by laser-assisted anterior cervical corpectomy was shown to be a better surgical option on long-term follow-up, yielding more recovery of neurological deficits, achieving adequate decompression of the spinal canal, and preventing the development of regional kyphosis at the operated level of the spine, in patients with multilevel cervical OPLL.     

The relationship between preoperative cervical sagittal balance and clinical outcome of laminoplasty treated cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament patients

Background contextLaminoplasty is a common surgical method used to treat patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Although laminoplasty is preferred over traditional laminectomy, the factors affecting the complications and outcomes are unclear. Recently, sagittal balance indexes have been revealed to be predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with cervical degenerative diseases, but their relationships with laminoplasty-treated OPLL outcomes remains unknown.PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship of preoperative cervical sagittal balance indexes and clinical outcome in laminoplasty treated OPLL patients.Study designThis is a retrospective case study.Patient populationBetween January 2015 and January 2017, 181 consecutively included patients who underwent cervical laminoplasty for OPLL were enrolled (male:female ratio=126:75; mean age=60.2 years). Cervical spine lateral radiographs in neutral, flexion, and extension positions were taken before and 2 years after the surgery.Outcome measuresThe C2–C7 Cobb angle, T1 slope, C1–C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), C2–C7 SVA, CGH (center of gravity of the head)-C7 SVA, cervical JOA (Japanese Orthopedic Association) score, and neck VAS (visual analogue scale) score were measured preoperatively and postoperatively at the 2-year follow-up.MethodsThe patients were divided into two groups according to changes in the lordotic angle or the recovery rate of the JOA score. The relationships between the postoperative lordosis loss or the clinical outcome and the preoperative variables, including the patient's age, JOA score, C2-C7 Cobb angle, T1 slope, C1-C7 SVA, C2-C7 SVA, and CGH-C7 SVA, were investigated.ResultsThe patients were divided into two groups according to the postoperative change in the C2-C7 Cobb angle. There were no differences in the age, preoperative C2-C7 Cobb angle, C1-C7 SVA, or C2-C7 SVA; there was only a difference in the preoperative CGH-C7 SVA and T1 slope level (p=.038, p=.042). The postoperative JOA and JOA recovery rate were related to the postoperative lordosis loss in cervical alignment (p=.048, p=.031). We again divided the patients into two groups according to the JOA recovery rate and found that only the preoperative CGH-C7 SVA and C1–C7 SVA were related to the neurological outcome (p=.011, p=.047). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher preoperative CGH-C7 SVA levels were significantly associated with decreases in the lordosis angle postoperatively and the clinical outcome (p=.018, OR=1.225; p=.034, OR=1.654). The ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis revealed that the proper cutoff value of preoperative CGH-C7 SVA for predicting the postoperative loss of lordosis and clinical outcomes is 3.8 cm.ConclusionPreoperative cervical sagittal balance indexes are related to the outcomes of OPLL patients after laminoplasty. Patients with high preoperative CGH-C7 SVA levels have a high probability of developing sagittal imbalances and neurological symptoms of the cervical spine, and this measurement can be used as a predictor of outcomes in laminoplasty-treated cervical OPLL patients.     

后正中开门加植骨固定术治疗颈椎椎管狭窄症

目的选择一种后路手术治疗椎管狭窄症较理想的方法.方法采用不切除棘突,用线锯从后正中线锯开棘突、椎板及黄韧带,扩大椎管,锯开的棘突间植入骨块并加以固定,治疗颈椎管狭窄9例.结果 JOA评分平均改善率达88%,并且无明显手术并发症,植骨融合良好.结论线锯后正中开门加植骨固定术治疗椎管狭窄症是一种方法简便,减压彻底,手术时间短的治疗方法.     

单开门颈椎椎管扩大成型术的远期疗效观察

目的 了解单开门颈椎椎管扩大成型术治疗颈椎椎管狭窄症的远期效果。方法 对９８例颈椎椎管狭窄症患者施行了单开门颈椎椎管扩大成型术,其中６１例获得随访,平均随访１１年８个月。结果 颈椎后纵韧带骨化症（ＯＰＬＬ）组３２例,发育性颈椎椎管狭窄（ＤＣＳ）组２０例脊髓型颈椎病（ＣＳＭ）组８例,三组均在术后３年时疗效最佳,ＪＯＡ评分平均改善率分别为７２．３０％～６７．８％和（ＣＳＭ）组８例,三组均在术后３年时疗