应用单开门椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症

目的 探讨颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的适宜手术入路及方式。方法 观察及分析应用单开门椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症３０２例的近期与１－９年远期临床疗效并将手术前、后Ｘ线片、ＣＴ及ＭＲＩ等影像学资料进行对比。结果 ３０２例后纵韧带骨化症手术近期及远期神经功能评分显著提高,平均改善率分别为４６％和６８％,后Ｘ线片显示颈椎管矢以显著增加,ＣＴ示椎管截面积显著扩大,而ＭＲＩ则显示脊髓向后移行,前后方压迫均解除。     

前路椎体骨化物复合体可控前移技术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的脊髓原位减压效果

目的:观察颈椎前路椎体骨化物复合体可控前移(anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion,ACAF)技术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)的脊髓原位减压效果。方法:回顾分析2017年6月~2018年12月我院收治的78例OPLL患者的人口学信息、影像资料以及术后指标(年龄、性别、症状持续时间、椎管侵占率和骨化累及椎体数量)。其中采用ACAF治疗42例,单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术(简称单开门椎板成形术open-door laminoplasty,LAM)治疗36例,平均随访时间21.7±4.0(12~30)个月。比较两组患者术前及末次随访时的JOA评分、脊髓面积、Cobb角、Kang′s分级以及C5神经麻痹、脑脊液漏、吞咽困难等并发症情况。结果:末次随访时,ACAF组与LAM组相比,在JOA评分(14.17±0.81分vs 13.81±1.12分,P<0.05)、脊髓面积(74.12±4.48mm^2 vs 70.36±5.60mm^2,P<0.05)、Cobb角(20.07°±1.28°vs 9.99°±0.65°,P<0.05)和Kang′s分级(0.93±1.40 vs 2.00±0.89,P<0.05)方面具有优势。对比ACAF组与LAM组的术后并发症,两组间C5神经麻痹(4.8%vs 11.1%)、脑脊液漏(2.4%vs 2.8%)、吞咽困难(9.5%vs 0%)无统计学差异。ACAF组2例出现C5神经麻痹的患者未能顺利完成原位减压。结论:ACAF手术可通过恢复椎管容积和形态实现脊髓原位减压,减压效果良好。在恢复颈椎曲度和脊髓位置形态方面,ACAF较LAM为优。     

单开门颈椎管扩大椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的中远期疗效观察

目的 :评估单开门颈椎管扩大椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)的中远期临床疗效。方法 :回顾性分析2005年3月~2012年4月在北京大学第三医院接受单开门颈椎管扩大椎板成形术的44例颈椎OPLL患者。其中,男26例,女18例;年龄57.1±8.5岁(28~72岁);术前改良JOA 17分法评分为11.39±3.27分(1.5~16分),颈痛VAS评分为2.32±2.59分(0~10分)。OPLL骨块累及3.20±1.64个(1~6个)椎体节段,骨块的椎管侵占率为(46.05±13.67)%(22%~72%)。手术范围:C3~C7 34例,C2~C7 7例,C2~C6 3例。术前及末次随访时分别测量颈椎侧位X线片上颈椎整体曲度及曲度指数、颈椎MRI中矢状位T2加权像C2/3~C6/7各节段脊髓整体后移距离(PCS)、脊髓前缘后移距离(PAS)、脊髓膨胀度(ESC)。结果:所有患者均获得随访,随访36.8±16.8个月(24~96个月)。末次随访时,JOA评分为14.70±1.96分(9.5~17分),颈痛VAS评分为3.59±2.97分(0~10分),与术前比较均有统计学差异(P0.05)。末次随访时JOA评分改善率为(57.59±30.88)%,其中神经功能恢复为优者12例,良19例,不理想13例,优良率为70.45%。末次随访时的颈椎曲度指数、颈椎整体曲度与术前比较无统计学差异(P0.05)。末次随访时,C2/3~C6/7各节段脊髓均有明显后移、脊髓前后径增加,PCS及PAS在C3/4~C6/7节段均明显高于C2/3节段(P0.05);而ESC在C3/4~C5/6节段明显高于C2/3及C6/7节段(P0.05)。10例患者末次随访时(术后2~8年)观察到OPLL骨块继续生长。结论:单开门颈椎管扩大椎板成形术治疗颈椎OPLL可获得脊髓症状的中长期缓解,但轴性症状较术前加重。减压节段的头端脊髓后移及膨胀程度幅度较小,应注意保证该节段的充分减压。     

后路全椎板减压Cervifix内固定术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症

对于多节段颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的治疗，目前国内大多数倾向于后路颈椎板成形术^[1，2]。而对于全椎板切除减压术．因其破坏性较大、并发症多等原因，已很少有人问津。但全椎板切除减压术术式简单、减压充分，加上Cervifix钉棒内固定系统的应用则明显减少了全椎板切除减压术的诸多弊端，提高了手术疗效。自1998年6月～2002年6月，采用     

颈前路可控前移融合术治疗后纵韧带骨化症所致颈椎管狭窄的疗效

目的：探讨应用颈前路可控前移融合术(ACAF)治疗后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)所致颈椎管狭窄的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2019年7月至2020年9月采用ACAF治疗的17例OPLL所致颈椎管狭窄患者的临床资料。其中男12例,女5例,年龄46～79岁,平均(60.0±12.2)岁。术前及末次随访时在颈椎侧位X线片上测量C2～C7 Cobb角,在CT轴位像横突孔节段上测量手术节段的有效椎管矢状径、有效椎管面积,同时应用颈椎日本骨科协会(JOA)评分、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)评估神经功能、疼痛情况。结果：17例患者共前移椎体41个。1例患者出现椎动脉损伤;1例患者因ACAF手术提拉不足再次行后路椎板切除术;其余15例患者术中无神经和硬脊膜损伤发生。所有17例患者切口均一期愈合,无感染发生。随访15～28个月,平均(21.4±4.8)个月。末次随访时,C2～C7 Cobb角由术前的8.9°±8.0°增加到19.7°±3.8°,有效椎管矢状径由术前的(6.7±2.0)mm增加到(11.5±2.7)mm,有效椎管横截面积由术前的(13.2±5.1)mm²增加到(22.5±5.3...     

OPLL采用后路保留一侧肌肉韧带复合体单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术还是颈前路椎体骨化物复合体可控前移术?

颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)是颈椎后纵韧带组织异位骨化造成颈脊髓腹侧受压而引起的一系列中枢神经功能损害,其保守治疗效果有限,往往需要外科手术干预。目前的手术方式主要包括前路颈椎椎体次全切除减压、后路颈椎椎板切除或椎管扩大椎板成形,以及前后联合入路手术等术式。此类患者手术治疗难度大、风险高、相关并发症也较多,一直以来都是脊柱外科关注的焦点。虽然国内外学者进行了大量研究,但手术方式的选择仍存在较大争议。近年来,国内一些学者经过多年的临床实践和探索,提出了诸多新的手术理念和改良术式,如颈椎前路椎体骨化物复合体可控前移术、保留后伸肌肉韧带复合体的椎管扩大椎板成形术等。在一定程度上,这些新术式具有减少术中脊髓损伤风险、降低脑脊液漏或术后轴性疼痛等并发症,有利于患者早期开展功能康复训练等优势。然而,任何新技术的推广和普及均需要对其适应证选择、技术难点把控、临床安全性和有效性及学习周期和曲线等问题进行客观、公正的评价和讨论,以避免盲目效仿而引发新的手术风险和并发症。为此,本期特邀请国内颈椎外科专家对颈椎OPLL前后路新术式相关问题进行讨论,以期在科学、理性的基础上合理、正确应用与发展。     

胸椎后路椎体-后纵韧带骨化物复合体可控前移治疗多节段连续型胸椎后纵韧带骨化症疗效观察

目的：探讨胸椎后路椎体-后纵韧带骨化物复合体可控前移固定减压技术治疗多节段连续型胸椎后纵韧带骨化症(thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament,T-OPLL)的临床疗效。方法：回顾分析2018年5月～2020年6月于我院脊柱外科接受胸椎后路椎体-后纵韧带骨化物复合体可控前移固定减压技术治疗的22例多节段连续型T-OPLL患者,记录手术一般情况,统计患者发病节段、临床表现及并发症情况,并根据术前、术后的疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、日本骨科协会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分、Frankel分级、CT、MRI检查评估手术效果。结果：随访时间13～17(14.95±1.33)个月;手术时间200～310min(238.19±34.73min),出血量900～1800ml(1345.45±230.38ml);患者术前、术后3个月、12个月、末次随访时VAS评分分别为7.59±0.73分、3.50±0.51分、2.41±0.50分、1....     

应用张力带式椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化

目的 评价应用张力带式椎板成形术(TBL)治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化(OPLL)的疗效.方法 本组病例包括颈椎后纵韧带骨化46例,男33例,女13例,平均年龄59岁(36～77岁).韧带骨化范围在C2-6,包括单节段型4例,连续型20例和混合型22例.全部病例均接受C2-7,TBL,受累节段涉及C3或以上者,同时接受寰椎后弓切除术.神经功能疗效评估采用日本骨科学会的颈椎病评分标准(JOA).解剖学疗效分析是利用计算机对手术前后X线片及MRI进行测量.结果 术后42例(91.3%)患者神经功能得到改善,影像学分析显示术后硬膜囊、脊髓中矢径增加和脊髓后移.结论 TBL手术是治疗颈椎OPLL的一种有效方法.     

不离断后纵韧带的前路椎体-骨化物复合体可控前移融合术治疗颈椎多节段后纵韧带骨化症的疗效

目的 ：评估不离断后纵韧带颈椎前路椎体-骨化物复合体可控前移融合术(anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion,ACAF)治疗颈椎多节段后纵韧带骨化症(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)的手术疗效。方法 ：回顾性分析2017年10月～2019年11月在我院行ACAF治疗的多节段颈椎OPLL患者73例,其中采用不离断后纵韧带的ACAF治疗的42例纳入非离断组(男32例,女10例,年龄55.8±9.7岁,随访时间2.4±0.4年),采用离断后纵韧带的ACAF治疗的31例纳入离断组(男25例,女6例,年龄56.7±11.4岁,随访时间2.3±0.3年)。记录两组患者的手术时间、出血量、住院时间和手术相关并发症。在术前和术后12个月的颈椎CT上测量椎管占位率、前移距离(术后椎管前后径-术前椎管前后径)、减压宽度、椎管前后径,评估手术减压情况;在术后7d和12个月的颈椎正侧位、动力位X线片和CT上观察棘突间隙活动变化、融合器内外骨桥形成以及椎体间总高度,评估术后...     

前路椎体骨化物复合体前移融合术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症

目的评估颈椎前路椎体骨化物复合体前移融合术(ACAF)对颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)椎管横截面积及椎管矢状径的改善情况。方法 2017年5月—2017年8月,本院采用ACAF治疗颈椎OPLL患者13例,术前、术后采用日本骨科学会(JOA)评分评估患者神经功能情况,采用视觉模拟量表(VAS)评分评估患者疼痛程度;术前、术后在颈椎侧位X线片上测量颈椎椎管矢状径,在横断面CT上测量骨化物横截面积和椎管横截面积,并计算椎管狭窄率。结果所有患者手术顺利完成。所有患者随访3~6个月,神经功能均得到不同程度恢复。末次随访时,JOA和VAS评分均较术前有所改善,椎管矢状径和椎管横截面积均较术前增加,椎管狭窄率较术前降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 ACAF治疗颈椎OPLL安全有效,可扩大椎管矢状径,增大椎管横截面积,降低椎管狭窄率,使患者神经症状明显改善,短期疗效满意。     

颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的前路骨化灶悬切减压治疗

目的 探讨颈椎后纵韧带骨化症采取颈前路骨化灶悬切减压治疗效果.方法 颈椎后纵韧带骨化症42例136个骨化节段.颈前路椎体开槽,深至椎体后缘,与硬膜严重粘连不宜切除的骨化灶可用丝线缝穿骨化灶一侧残余的后纵韧带或骨化灶周围的纤维组织,轻轻提起系在植骨块或颈长肌上,使骨化灶完全缩入骨槽内;对体积较小、与硬膜粘连轻的骨化灶予以...     

Long-term outcome of laminectomy and instrumented fusion for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Between January 2000 and December 2003, a total of 83 patients (64 men and 19 women, average age: 56.4 years, range: 42-78 years) who underwent posterior laminectomy and instrumented fusion for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were included in this study to investigate the long-term outcome of this surgical option and clarify which factors affect the prognosis. After an average 4.8-year follow-up, the mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score significantly increased from 9.2 +/- 1.3 points before operation to 14.2 +/- 0.9 points at the latest follow-up (P < 0.01). The improvement rate (IR) of neurological function ranged from 11.1 to 87.5%, with a mean of 62.4 +/- 13.2%. Among 83 patients, 59 (71.1%) patients had a good prognosis (IR > or = 50%), and the other 24 (28.9%) patients had a poor prognosis (IR < 50%). Postoperative nerve root palsy was the main complication in this series. Radiographic study showed that whilst improving cervical lordosis could provide a better decompression effect and good prognosis, it could have simultaneously contributed to the high incidence of postoperative nerve root palsy.     

前路椎体骨化物复合体前移融合术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的研究进展

颈椎后纵韧带骨化症（OPLL）是颈椎后纵韧带发生异位骨化并不断增生压迫颈脊髓,引起肢体感觉和躯体运动不同程度障碍及脏器植物神经功能紊乱的一种疾病,在中国其发病率约为0.077‰^[1]。虽然颈椎OPLL的传统手术方式已得到了长足的发展和完善,但复杂的长节段颈椎OPLL的术式选择仍然没有明确的定论。近年来,随着对颈椎解剖学研究的深化及手术方法的改进,海军军医大学长征医院史建刚^[2]团队创造性地通过将椎体与骨化的后纵韧带整体向腹侧平移的方式实现对颈椎椎管的可控减压,即颈椎前路椎体骨化物复合体前移融合术（ACAF）。该术式通过磨除部分椎体前柱实现前路直接减压,既可以将椎管内减压转化为直观的椎体前移,又规避了如何处理骨化物粘连的难题,降低了术后并发症的发生率,为颈椎OPLL的治疗带来了新的选择;45例患者ACAF术后平均随访4个月,疗效满意^[3]。近5年的相关文献表明,ACAF在治疗长节段颈椎OPLL导致的颈椎椎管狭窄症方面具有明显的优势,但由于ACAF为新兴术式,在手术适应证、禁忌证方面仍未达成一定共识;在对于不同类型颈椎OPLL患者ACAF是否适用、手术相关并发症及其预防手段方面,仍有较大的讨论空间。     

Anterior corpectomy and fusion for severe ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine

Between May 2002 and October 2006, 19 patients (17 men and 2 women; average age 57.2; range 47-71 years) received anterior corpectomy and fusion for severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in our department. Preoperative radiological evaluation showed the narrowing by the OPLL exceeded 50% in all cases, and OPLL extended from one to three vertebrae. We followed-up all patients for 12-36 months (mean 18 months). The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before surgery was 9.3 +/- 1.8 (range 5-12) which significantly increased to 14.2 +/- 1.3 (range 11-16) points at the last follow-up (P < 0.01). The improvement rate (IR) of neurological function ranged from 22.2-87.5%, with a mean of 63.2% +/- 15.2%. The operation also provided a significant increase in the cervical lordosis and the cord flatting rate (P < 0.01). No severe neurological complication developed. We therefore concluded that anterior decompression and fusion was effective and safe in the treatment of the selected patients, although OPLL exceeded 50% diameter of the spinal canal.     

扩大后壁减压术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化

目的 介绍扩大后壁减压术(显露根袖起始部)治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)合并脊髓病,并探讨其疗效.方法 1998年1月至2005年12月,采用扩大后壁减压手术治疗颈椎OPLL患者82例.男47例,女35例;年龄39～84岁,平均57岁.节段型31例,连续型40例,混合型11例.手术前后用日本矫形外科学会(JOA)评分判定神经功能;用疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)评价颈肩痛程度;用Ishihara法测定颈椎曲率指数(cervical curvature index,CCI);在MRI上测量脊髓扩大和后移程度.结果 手术平均减压5.2(4～6)个节段.全部病例随访13～58个月,平均41个月.术后JOA评分平均为13.9(11～17)分,较术前[10.9(7～15)分]有显著改善(t=14.65,P＜0.01),临床效果优良率为98.7%.仅2例出现C5神经根麻痹,为一过性.术后颈肩痛VAS评分平均为1.4(1～3)分,较术前[5.3(4～6)分]明显缓解(t=15.46,P＜0.01).术后CCI平均为10.5%,较术前(18.8%)下降(t=5.03,P＜0.01),但未发生颈脊髓再次受压.MRI测量:最狭窄处硬膜囊平均横截面积由85.4 mm2增至153.8 mm2,较术前增加80.1%(t=16.33,P＜0.01);颈脊髓较术前所在位置平均向后移动6.2mm(t=15.35,P＜0.01).结论 显露根袖起始部的扩大后壁减压术能使脊髓充分后移,减压彻底,降低脊髓轴位张力,避免C5神经根麻痹,术后无颈椎脱位或半脱位,未出现颈脊髓受压复发情况.

Abstract：

Objective To introduce the surgical strategy of enlarged laminectomy (with partial facet joint dissection to expose the nerve root), and to discuss its benefit for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) with myelopathy. Methods Totally 82 patients with cervical OPLL were treated by enlarged laminectomy from January 1998 to December 2005. There were 47 males and 35 females, with an average age of 57 years (ranged, 39-84 years). Among them, there were 31 cases of the solitary type, 40 cases of the continuous type, and 11 cases of the mixed type. JOA scoring system and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring were applied to evaluate the neurological function and neck/shoulder pain respectively.Ishihara method was employed to measure cervical curvature index(CCI). The degree of spinal cord backward expanding and displacement were calculated in MR1. Results The mean decompression length was 5.2 (4-6) segments. The mean follow-up duration was 41 months (ranged, 13-58 months). JOA score has improved from 10.9(7-15) preoperatively to 13.9(11-17) postoperatively (t=14.65, P＜0.01). The excellent and good rate was 98.7%. The palsy of C5 nerve root occurred in only 2 patients, both recovered after surgery. Zhe mean postoperative VAS score was 1.4(1-3), comparing with the preoperative score of 5.3 (4-6). The pain in neck/shoulder was alleviated obviously (t=15.46, P＜0.01 ). CCI decreased from 18.8% to 10.5%(t=5.03, P＜0.01 ),but did not follow by neuron function deterioration. MRI indicated that the cross-sectional area at the level of maximum compression of the dural sac increased from 85.4 mm2 preoperatively to 153.8 mm2 postoperatively (t=16.33, P＜0.01), and the mean spinal cord posterior shift was 6.2 mm (t=15.35, P＜0.01). Conclusion The enlarged laminectomy is proved to be effective in treating cervical OPLL, in terms of significant posterior shift of the spinal cord, relief of cervical/shoulder pain, lower rate of the palsy of C5 nerve root, with no recurrence of spinal cord compression symptom.     

C5 palsy after laminectomy and posterior cervical fixation for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging findings correlated with C5 root palsies in the patients undergoing laminectomy and lateral mass screw fixation for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and clarify its pathogenic mechanism. METHODS: The series included 49 patients with OPLL. Characteristics of preoperative and postoperative x-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images were compared between the patients with and those without C5 root palsies. RESULTS: Postoperative C5 root palsies occurred in 9 patients 6 to 64 hours postoperatively. They tended to have increased cervical lordosis and severe OPLL. However, there was no significant positive correlation with an increase in T2-weighted hyperintense foci on magnetic resonance studies. CONCLUSIONS: The tethering effect on the root seemed to be the main pathogenic mechanism of C5 root palsies in this study.     

颈椎后纵韧带骨化症合并硬膜囊骨化的前路手术治疗

目的 探讨颈椎后纵韧带骨化症合并硬膜囊骨化的影像学表现、前路手术方法 及疗效.方法 2005年1月至2008年3月,前路手术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症合并硬膜囊骨化患者13例.男11例,女2例;年龄43～72岁,平均53.6岁.骨化物分型:局限型3例,分节型2例,连续型5例,混合型3例;骨化物范围涉及1～5椎,平均2.8椎.患者均通过前路椎体次全切除术,切除骨化后纵韧带减压,术中6例患者后纵韧带骨化和硬膜囊骨化得以完全分离,硬膜囊保留完整,另7例患者硬膜囊出现不同程度撕裂或缺损.结果 8例患者术前CT横断面成像上表现为典型的"双影征",2例患者表现为整块骨化物存在中心低密度影,余3例患者表现为椎管狭窄率超过90%的严重后纵韧带骨化.术后5例患者并发脑脊液漏,其中3例经卧床休息、局部加压治疗3～5 d后愈合,另2例患者皮肤愈合后形成间歇性脑脊液囊肿,经反复穿刺抽液治疗1个月后痊愈.随访6个月～2年,平均1年,所有患者JOA评分从术前平均8.1分提高至术后平均13.2分,神经功能恢复率平均57.3%.骨化硬膜囊切除和未切除两组患者的神经功能恢复率差异无统计学意义.结论 CT三维重建检查有助于术前诊断后纵韧带骨化合并硬膜囊骨化,合并硬膜囊骨化并非前路手术的禁忌证,前路手术切除骨化后纵韧带、彻底减压是提高此类患者手术疗效的关键.     

Anterior cervical vertebrectomy and interbody fusion for multi-level spondylosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Multi-level cervical spondylosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) are well-documented causes of myelopathy. The choice of surgical procedures remain controversial. Between January 1983 and December 1987, we have performed anterior cervical vertebrectomy in 45 patients with cervical myelopathy caused by multi-level spondylosis and OPLL. They consisted of 19 patients with cervical spondylosis, 12 with OPLL, and 14 with combined lesions of both cervical spondylosis and OPLL. There were 32 men and 13 women. The mean age was 55 years, ranging from 35 to 70 years. In all of our 45 patients, anterior vertebrectomy, discectomy, removal of posterior osteophytes and OPLL, and interbody fusion were done for progressive myelopathy refractory to conservative treatment. In 2 of 45 patients, 5 vertebral bodies were resected; in 3 patients, 4 vertebral bodies were resected; in 12 patients, 3 vertebral bodies were resected, in 19 patients, 2 vertebral bodies were resected; and in 9 patients, 1 vertebral body was resected. Thirty-nine of 45 patients (87%) had good results. Neurological signs did not improve in 5 patients (11%). One patient died because of agranulocytosis secondary to treatment with antibiotics. In conclusion, cervical cord compression caused by lesions located principally in the anterior aspect of the spinal canal may be completely relieved via anterior vertebrectomy, discectomy, removal of the calcified ligament, and fusion.     

Cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: Anterior versus posterior approach

Background:

The optimal approach to provide satisfactory decompression and minimize complications for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving multiple levels (3 levels or more) remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of two surgical approaches for cervical OPLL involving multiple levels; anterior direct decompression and fixation, and posterior indirect decompression and fixation. We present a retrospective review of 56 cases followed at a single Institution.

Materials and Methods:

We compared patients of multiple levels cervical OPLL that were treated at a single institution either with anterior direct decompression and fixation or with posterior indirect decompression and fixation. The clinical records of the patients with a minimum duration of follow-up of 2 years were reviewed. The associated complications were recorded.

Results:

Fifty-six patients constitute the clinical material. 26 cases were treated by anterior corpectomy and fixation and 30 cases received posterior laminectomy and fixation. The two populations were similar. It was found that both anterior and posterior decompression and fixation can achieve satisfactory outcomes, and posterior surgery was accomplished in a shorter period of time with lesser blood loss. Although patients had comparable preoperative Japanese Orthopaedics Association (JOA) scores, those with a canal occupancy by OPLL more than 50% and managed anteriorly had better outcomes. However, for those with more severe stenosis, anterior approach was more difficult and associated with higher risks and complications. Despite its limitations in patients with high occupancy OPLLs, through the multiple level laminectomy, posterior fixation can achieve effective decompression, maintaining or restoring stability of the cervical spine, and thereby improving neural outcome and preventing the progression of OPLL.

Conclusions:

The posterior indirect decompression and fixation has now been adopted as the primary treatment for cervical OPLL involving multiple levels with the canal occupancy by OPLL <50% at our institution because this approach leads to significantly less implant failures. Those patients with the occupancy ≥50% managed with anterior approach surgeries had better outcomes, but approach was more difficult and associated with higher risk and complications.