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     

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

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.     

胸椎黄韧带骨化症合并脊髓型颈椎病手术方案选择

目的 探讨胸椎黄韧带骨化(ossification of ligamentum flavum,OLF)合并脊髓型颈椎病(cervical spondylotic myelopathy,CSM)手术方案的选择.方法 1991年1月至2003年1月,手术治疗胸椎OLF合并CMS患者56例,其中40例获得2年以上随访,男22例,女18例;确诊时年龄27～70岁,平均58岁;病程1～120个月,平均16.5个月.其中OLF 25例,OLF合并后纵韧带骨化(ossification of posterior longitudjnal ligament,OPLL)12例,OLF合并胸椎间盘突出3例;同时合并颈椎OPLL 23例,退变性颈椎管狭窄17例.18例一期行颈后路"单开门"椎板成形术+上胸椎椎管后壁切除术,9例一期行胸椎管后壁切除术,13例分期行颈后路和胸椎管后壁切除术.结果 40例患者的随访时间为24～227个月,平均67.5个月.根据改良Epstein手术疗效评定标准评价优良率,18例一期行颈后路"单开门"椎板成形术+上胸椎椎管后壁切除术者为88.9%(16/18),9例行胸椎管后壁切除术者为66.7%(6/9);13例分期行颈后路和胸椎管后壁切除术者为53.8%(7/13).结果 显示分期手术者术后优良率低于一期手术者,手术间隔时间在1年以内者的优良率高于间隔1年以上者.结论 上胸椎OLF合并CSM者应一期行颈椎和上胸椎脊髓减压术;下肢症状严重而上肢症状轻微者应先行胸脊髓减压术;上、下肢症状均重者应一期或分期行颈脊髓减压术和胸脊髓减压术,而分期手术者的手术间隔时间不宜过长.     

Long-term results of double-door laminoplasty using hydroxyapatite spacers in patients with compressive cervical myelopathy

No previous studies have reported 10-year follow-up results for double-door laminoplasty using hydroxyapatite (HA) spacers. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the long-term results of double-door laminoplasty using HA spacers and to determine if non-union or breakage of HA spacers is related to restenosis of the enlarged cervical canal. The study group consisted of 68 patients with a minimum of 10 years of follow-up after double-door laminoplasty using HA spacers. The average postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improved significantly after surgery and was maintained until the final follow-up. The average range of motion decreased by 42.6% in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and 65.8% in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). The enlarged cervical canal area was preserved almost until the final follow-up. The average non-union rates of HA spacers were 21% in CSM and 17% in OPLL, and the average breakage rates were 24 in CSM and 21% in OPLL at the final follow-up. Although non-union and breakage of HA spacers were common, neither of these factors were correlated with restenosis of the enlarged cervical canal.     

Medium-term outcomes of C3�C6 laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy: a prospective study with a minimum 5-year follow-up

C3–6 laminoplasty preserving muscle insertions into the C7 spinous process is reportedly associated with a significantly decreased frequency of postoperative axial neck pain. However, no prospective study has reported medium-term outcomes of C3–6 laminoplasty. The purpose of this study was to elucidate medium-term outcomes after C3–6 laminoplasty. Subjects comprised 31 patients with cervical myelopathy who underwent C3–6 laminoplasty preserving all bilateral muscles attached to the C2 and C7 spinous processes and were followed for ≥5 years. Clinical and radiological data were prospectively collected. Neurological status was assessed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. Axial neck pain was graded as severe, moderate or mild. Sagittal alignment of the cervical spine and progression of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) were assessed by comparing serial lateral radiographs. Mean JOA score improved significantly from 10.6 before surgery to 14.7 at the time of maximum recovery, and slightly declined to 14.3 at final follow-up. In six patients who developed late deterioration, these conditions were unrelated to the cervical spine. As of final follow-up, only one patient (3.2%) had complained of axial neck pain persisting for 5 years. Although progression of OPLL was found in 63.6% of patients, none had experienced neurological deterioration due to this progression. At final follow-up, sagittal alignment of the cervical spine was more lordotic than before surgery. Medium-term outcomes of C3–6 laminoplasty were satisfactory. Frequencies of persistent axial neck pain and loss of cervical lordosis after surgery remained significantly decreased for ≥5 years postoperatively.     

选择性融合联合单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术治疗局部不稳的颈椎后纵韧带骨化症的疗效

目的:比较三种颈椎后路术式治疗存在局部不稳的颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)患者的临床疗效,探讨选择性融合联合单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术的临床应用价值。方法:回顾分析我院2014年6月~2017年6月收治的存在局部不稳的颈椎OPLL患者107例,其中男性61例,女性46例;年龄68.1±10.2岁(33~84岁),随访时间2.1±1.3年(0.5~3.5年)。所有患者证实存在OPLL及颈椎局部不稳,且存在颈脊髓压迫相关症状体征,其中38例行单纯颈后路单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术(A组),35例行选择性融合联合单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术(B组),34例行传统颈后路椎板切除固定术式(C组)。分别于术前、术后2d及末次随访时采用日本矫形外科学会(Japanese Orthopaedic Association,JOA)评分并计算Hirabayashi改善率,对患者的神经功能情况进行评估;拍摄颈椎正侧位及过屈过伸位X线片测量颈椎的曲度(C2-7 Cobb角)、颈椎整体活动度(C2-7 range of motion,C2-7 ROM)和颈椎不稳节段的活动度,统计内固定相关并发症。通过颈椎MRI评估患者颈髓高信号的情况并计算高信号强度比值(high signal intensity ratio,HSIR)。比较三组患者颈椎整体活动度和不稳节段的活动度,比较存在颈髓高信号患者的术前、术后HSIR及三组之间的差异。结果:三组患者均取得了满意的神经功能改善,末次随访时JOA评分分别为14.93±3.18分、15.22±2.79分和14.72±3.02分,Hirabayashi改善率分别为(66.35±13.48)%、(70.06±14.14)%和(64.14±18.05)%。三组患者术前颈椎曲度分别为7.43°±3.69°、7.66°±2.99°、6.96°±4.38°,组间比较无统计学差异(F=13.19,P=0.071),末次随访时颈椎曲度与术前相比基本一致(5.58°±4.26°、5.73°±3.81°、5.49°±4.33°),随访期间未发现颈椎曲度明显改变、后凸等情况。随访期间未出现内固定相关并发症。末次随访时A、B两组患者颈椎整体活动度(C2-7 ROM)无统计学差异(17.63°±8.31°和18.72°±9.52°,P=0.089),C组患者末次随访颈椎整体活动度明显差于A、B两组患者(3.90°±7.74°vs 17.6°±8.3°,P=0.012;3.90°±7.74°和18.72°±9.52°,P=0.003);B组、C组患者术后颈椎不稳节段活动度明显降低,末次随访时已完全融合。共有71例(71.03%)患者出现颈椎MRI T2加权高信号表现,存在高信号的节段与存在不稳的节段一致。三组患者HSIR值末次随访时均较术前明显降低(1.33±0.18 vs 1.68±0.11,1.12±0.12 vs 1.71±0.14和1.20±0.33 vs 1.65±0.18,P=0.001),但与A组患者相比,B组和C组患者的降低程度均较显著,差异存在统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:选择性融合联合单开门椎管扩大椎板成形术是治疗存在局部不稳的颈椎OPLL患者的有效方法,可以在广泛减压颈脊髓压迫的同时增加颈椎的节段稳定性,同时保留颈椎一定的活动度、减少术后轴性症状发生。     

单开门棘突重建颈椎管扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的：探讨单开门棘突重建颈椎管扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病的疗效。方法：应用上述术式治疗脊髓型颈椎病21例,男16例,女5例,平均年龄49岁,临床疗效采用JOA进行评分。结果：平均随访2年6个月,JOA评分平均改善率为76.3%,无一例发生再关门现象或颈椎反曲畸形。结论：单开门棘突重建椎扩大成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病效果较好,棘突重建是防止颈椎不稳及反曲畸形的有效措施。     

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.     

改良椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症术后颈椎矢状位参数变化与临床疗效关系

目的:探讨C3椎板切除、C7椎板U形切除的改良椎板成形术治疗颈椎后纵韧带骨化症(ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament,OPLL)术后颈椎矢状位参数变化及其对临床疗效的影响。方法:采用病例对照研究的方法,纳入99例OPLL患者。其中C3切除组42例,男22例,女20例,平均年龄61.4±9.23岁(39~78岁),采用C3椎板切除、C4-6椎板单开门、C7椎板U型切除。同期采用标准单开门椎管扩大成形术(C3开门组)患者57例,男31例,女26例,平均年龄59.3±8.65岁(41~79岁)。平均随访45.9±8.8个月,观察两组患者术前术后JOA、NDI评分,观察两组患者术前后颈椎生理曲度及C2-7 SVA值变化。对各组内颈椎是否保持前凸的患者分成亚组,对比亚组间JOA及NDI评分差异。对比C3开门组内行C3-6及C3-7开门的患者的矢状位参数变化值。结果:两组患者术前各项指标无统计学差异,至末次随访时两组患者的JOA及NDI评分均显著好转,末次随访JOA评分两组间无差异,而C3切除组的NDI(6.06±4.49)优于C3开门组(8.25±7.53)。末次随访时两组颈椎曲度均有不同程度的降低,C3切除组颈椎曲度对比术前无统计学差异(颈椎曲度变化值为3.30°±9.36°),而C3开门组有差异(颈椎曲度变化值为6.25°±10.22°),两组间颈椎曲度值及变化值均有统计学差异(P<0.05)。末次随访两组的C2-7 SVA均有不同程度的增加,对比术前SVA,C3切除组无统计学差异,而C3开门组有差异,两组间的C2-7 SVA值及变化值有统计学差异(P<0.05)。C3开门组患者中有30例行C3-6开门,27例行C3-7开门,两亚组患者的术前及末次随访的颈椎生理曲度及C2-7 SVA值均无统计学差异。末次随访时两组内颈椎前凸及后凸的病例的JOA,NDI评分变化,神经功能改善率均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:C3椎板切除的改良椎板单开门成形术能有效维持术后颈椎生理曲度,在一定程度上减缓颈椎后路术后颈椎后凸畸形的进展。手术后颈椎矢状面参数的变化与患者的临床疗效无显著相关性。     

Skip laminectomy--a new treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy, preserving bilateral muscular attachments to the spinous processes: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Techniques in current use for expansive laminoplasty operations (ELAP) on the cervical spine damage the extensor mechanisms, resulting in restriction of neck motion, loss of lordosis and persistent axial pains. PURPOSE: This article introduces a new surgical technique called skip laminectomy, which reduces morbidity after decompression of the cervical spinal canal. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: A prospective study is presented of all patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), treated by this new procedure between December 1998 and March 2000. PATIENT SAMPLE: Since December 1998, 61 patients with CSM have undergone the procedure, of whom 24 (13 men and 11 women) were selected for this study. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 25 months, with an average of 18 months. Average age at operation was 69 years (range, 50 to 82 years). Eighteen patients with CSM on whom C3-C7 open-door laminoplasties had been performed by the author before 1998 were selected as controls for study of postoperative atrophy of the deep extensor cervical muscles. There were 11 men and 7 women, average age 67 years (range, 45 to 81). OUTCOME MEASURES: Axial symptoms and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were recorded. Pre- and postoperative ranges of neck motion were measured on lateral flexion and extension radiographs. Pre- and postoperative cervical curvature indexes were calculated according to Ishihara's method. For quantitative analysis of damage to the posterior cervical muscles, atrophy rates were calculated from cross-sectional areas of the deep extensor muscles on the pre- and postoperative axial magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: In skip laminectomy, standard laminectomies are performed at selected levels, combined with partial laminectomies of the cephalad halves of laminae at other selected levels, where the muscular attachments to the spinous processes are left undisturbed. Instead of a standard laminectomy, an interlaminar decompression can be performed at levels where the anterior spinal cord compression is insignificant. It is accomplished by simply removing the cephalad half of the inferior lamina and ligamentum flavum without detaching the semispinalis cervicis and multifidus muscles from the adjacent spinous processes. RESULTS: Using JOA scores, the average recovery rate was 61.0%. None of the patients complained of persistent axial symptoms. The postoperative range of flexion-extension motion averaged 97% of the preoperative measures. The cervical curvature index was reduced in 1 of the 24 patients. The atrophy rate of the deep extensor muscles after skip laminectomy was 20% of that seen after open-door laminoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Skip laminectomy for cervical spinal canal decompression is less invasive than conventional laminectomy and ELAP. It is effective in preventing postoperative problems, such as persistent axial symptoms, restriction of neck motion and loss of cervical lordosis.     

Impact of longitudinal distance of the cervical spine on the results of expansive open-door laminoplasty

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study in patients who underwent expansive open-door laminoplasty (ELAP) for cervical myelopathy and in whom the cervical alignment was nonlordotic at the final follow-up to analyze the correlation between the longitudinal distance of the cervical spine and surgical results. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of longitudinal distance of the cervical spine on surgical results of ELAP and to propose a new concept, the redundant spinal cord, that may influence patient selection for ELAP. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Results in many studies have demonstrated that postoperative cervical alignment has significant effect on surgical results, and spines that are malaligned are thought to deteriorate. The current surgical data showed that not all patients with postoperative malalignment had poor surgical results. Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) tended to have better clinical results than those with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). METHODS: Results in 70 patients who underwent ELAP for cervical myelopathy with postoperative cervical malalignment were investigated. The longitudinal distance index (LDI) was defined as the length of a vertical line between the posteroinferior edges of C2 and C7 divided by the anteroposterior diameter of C4 and was measured on lateral neutral radiographs at final follow-up. Correlation between LDI and surgical results represented by Japanese Orthopedic Association scores and percentage of recovery were analyzed statistically in each patient. RESULTS: Patients with CSM had smaller LDI and better surgical results than those with OPLL. Weak but significant negative correlation was detected between LDI and percentage of recovery, indicating that longitudinal distance of the cervical spine may have some degree of impact on the surgical results of ELAP. CONCLUSION: A decrease in LDI represents shortening of the cervical spine caused by multiple disc degeneration and may influence surgical results of ELAP by inducing redundancy of the spinal cord in patients with postoperative malalignment.     

胸椎后纵韧带骨化的临床特点及治疗策略

目的回顾研究手术治疗胸椎后纵韧带骨化症(OPLL)的临床特点及治疗方法。方法1991至2005年手术治疗胸椎OPLL55例,男19例,女36例;年龄35～73岁,平均51.9岁。均伴有脊髓损害。手术方式包括单纯椎管后壁切除术34例、前方OPLL切除减压术15例以及前后路联合手术6例。结果55例中36例(65.5%)合并胸椎黄韧带骨化(OLF),18例(32.7%)合并颈椎OPLL。单纯发生于上胸椎的OPLL13例(23.6%),中胸椎12例(21.8%),下胸椎及胸腰段17例(30.9%),广泛分布者13例(23.6%)。43例获得随访,平均随访时间47.1个月(6～168个月)。37例神经功能有改善,改善率为76.6%,无改善2例,加重4例。前方入路获随访者13例,其中3例症状加重,余改善率平均为82.9%(42.9%～100%)。后路椎管后壁切除术获随访者25例,1例无改善,1例加重,余改善率平均为72.6%(22.2%～100%)。前后路联合手术获随访5例,1例无改善,余改善率平均为83.9%。结论胸椎OPLL常合并胸椎OLF及颈椎OPLL。上胸椎OPLL合并颈椎管狭窄可一期行颈后路单开门及上胸椎椎管后壁切除术。两个节段以内的OPLL且不合并有造成脊髓压迫的胸椎OLF可行前路OPLL切除减压术,否则行后路椎管后壁切除术。单节段的OPLL合并胸椎OLF可行前后路联合手术。     

Combined laminoplasty and posterolateral fusion for spinal canal surgery in children and adolescents

Spinal deformities, especially kyphosis and instability, after laminectomy for tumors and other diseases, are major clinical problems. Since 1981, combined laminoplasty and posterolateral fusion for the prevention of postlaminectomy spinal deformities was performed on eight male and two female patients aged two to 26 years (average, 13.9 years). The follow-up period was from six months to seven years and three months (average, three years and five months). Two patients died six and ten months postoperatively because of brain metastases (astrocytoma) and lung metastases (neuroblastoma), respectively. Good alignment with no instability of the cervical or thoracic spine was obtained for all patients, including the two who died. Laminoplasty combined with posterolateral fusion was found to be very effective in preventing the development of spinal deformities after spinal canal surgery for spinal cord tumors or other diseases in children and adolescents.     

脊髓腹背受压合并颈椎不稳定脊髓型颈椎病的手术选择

目的 探讨由多因素(腹背侧受压和不稳定)所引起的脊髓型颈椎病的治疗方法。方法 对32例脊髓型颈椎病施行了颈后路单开门加铰链侧植骨,并对其随访,平均随访时间为3年4个月。结果 JOA评分平均改善率为68.1％,按Hirabayshi恢复率评定标准,优良率为81.2％。结论 颈椎单开门结合铰链侧植骨为治疗脊髓腹背侧受压合并颈椎不稳定脊髓型颈椎病的有效方法。     

颈椎管扩大成形术的术式及有关问题探讨

应用颈椎管扩大成形术治疗１６例颈椎疾患，其中发育性颈椎管狭窄症６例、多椎间隙颈椎间盘病７例、颈椎后纵韧带骨化症３例。８例行双开门式颈椎管扩大成形术，３例双开门式十中央植骨固定术，５例行单开门式颈椎管扩大成形术，本组病例经５个月以上（平均１５个月）随访，疗效满意。作者认为经后路多节段颈椎管扩大成形术既能获得有效的脊髓减压，又能维持颈椎的稳定性。     

Spinal deformity and instability after multilevel cervical laminectomy

Sixty-four patients who had undergone multilevel cervical laminectomy were studied for postoperative spinal deformity and instability. Special attention was given to patients with cervical spondylosis (CS), ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), and spinal cord tumors. Twenty-three (36%) of 64 patients showed postoperative changes in curvature type and 9 (14%) had developed spinal deformity (kyphotic or meandering-type curvature). In two juvenile patients, the deformity developed soon after operation and spinal fusion was required to prevent neurologic complications. In the adult cases, contrary to the hitherto accepted concept, long-term follow-up revealed the tendency of the deformity to develop more frequently in OPLL cases than in CS cases. Mobility of the cervical spine was reduced considerably after laminectomy, both in CS and OPLL cases. There was no adult patient who required further operation for severe deformity or instability after laminectomy. Extensive laminectomy, even including the C2 lamina, seemed to have no adverse effect on the stability of the cervical spine.     

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.     

Place de la laminoplastie dans le traitement de la myélopathie cervicale d’origine arthrosique

Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common condition. Uninstrumented laminectomy may be complicated by postoperative instability, whereas anterior or posterior decompression with fusion may be associated with stiffness and adjacent segment disease. Cervical laminoplasty, initially oriented towards pediatric patients and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, becomes an interesting surgical alternative to decompress and reconstruct cervical anatomy without fusion. Eighteen patients (12 men, 6 women), mean age 64.2 who presented with CSM were treated surgically using multilevel laminoplasty, and reviewed after 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years. Clinical evaluation was performed based on the Benzel-JOA and Nurick scores. The preoperative mean Benzel-JOA score was 13.55; Preoperative mean Nurick score was 1.88. Preoperative MRI was carried-out in 16/18 patients. Intramedullary hyperintensity in T2 was observed in 6 patients. The operation was performed on 2 levels (4 patients) 3 levels (11 patients) and 4 levels (3 patients). We used the open-door hinged laminoplasty technique, using metallic implants, without bone graft. At one month FU, mean JOA score was 15.44, and Nurick dropped to 1.05. At 6 months, mean JOA was 16.28 and Nurick was 0.71. At one year, the mean JOA score was 16.16, and Nurick was 0.83. At 2 years, mean JOA was 17.5, and Nurick was 0.25. One infection, one dural tear and one transient episode of C5 paresthesia were observed. We conclude that spinal cord decompression by open-door laminoplasty for CSM allows significant clinical improvement observed progressively in the two years following surgery.     

56例无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤手术疗效分析

目的 :探讨无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤早期手术治疗效果。方法 :自 1996年收集我院 5 6例无骨折脱位颈髓损伤病人。入院后给予 MRI和 X线检查 ,其中后纵韧带骨化 17例 ,特发性弥漫性骨肥厚症 4例 ,黄韧带骨化 8例 ,颈椎管狭窄 15例 ,其中 2 3例于伤后 3d内手术。19例为晚期手术 ,14例保守治疗。结果 :早期手术满意 ,较大于 72 h手术与保守治疗的效果明显改善 (P<0 .0 5 ) ,术后未见颈椎不稳与再关门 ,所有病人均在入院后进行 Frankel分级 ,2 w后出院再次评分 ,早期手术组改善率明显高于其他两组 ,X线显示颈椎内径增加 ,椎管扩大 MRI显示颈椎后侧减压明显。结论 :无骨折脱位型颈髓损伤早期正确诊断 ,手术可获得满意疗效     

Corpectomy for multi-level cervical spondylosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

The choice of a surgical approach for multi-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is still a controversial issue. While most of the surgeons are still performing decompression by laminectomy some are doing multi-level anterior decompression. Few neurosurgeons are performing decompression by corpectomy. We have treated 26 patients by median cervical corpectomy during the last 4 years. These patients were followed up for a mean period of 25 months. Twenty one (80%) patients had a good outcome, 2 patients remained unchanged and 3 expired. Review of the literature and our experience indicates that patients with CSM and OPLL should be operated by median cervical corpectomy (anterior approach).