Surgical outcomes of cervical myelopathy in patients with athetoid cerebral palsy

Purpose

Surgical treatment for cervical myelopathy with athetoid cerebral palsy remains unestablished. Instrumented fusion is reported to have good clinical results; however, there are no data of decompression surgery for this pathology in recent years. This study aimed to assess the surgical outcomes of laminoplasty with or without posterior instrumented fusion for cervical myelopathy in patients with athetoid cerebral palsy.

Methods

A multi-centre surgical series of patients with cervical myelopathy and athetoid cerebral palsy were enrolled in this study. All patients showed symptoms and signs suggestive of cervical myelopathy and underwent laminoplasty with or without instrumented fusion. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, Barthel index (BI), and changes in the C2–C7 sagittal Cobb angle in the lateral plain radiograph were analysed.

Results

There were 25 patients (16 men and 9 women; mean age, 54.4 ± 10.8 years) with cervical myelopathy and athetoid cerebral palsy who underwent surgical treatment. The mean follow-up period was 41.9 ± 35.6 months. Overall, the BI significantly improved after surgery, whereas the JOA score and C2–C7 angle did not improve postoperatively. The recovery rate of the JOA score in the laminoplasty group was significantly higher than that of the fusion group (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Cervical laminoplasty with or without instrumented fusion for treating cervical myelopathy due to athetoid cerebral palsy is effective in improving activities of daily living. Cervical laminoplasty may be an effective and less invasive surgical method for selective patients, especially for those with small involuntary movements and no remarkable cervical kyphosis nor instability.

     

颈椎前路减压分段融合术和后路椎管扩大成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的病例对照研究

目的 :比较颈椎前路减压分段融合术和后路椎管扩大成形术治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:对2009年7月至2012年6月收治的56例多节段脊髓型颈椎病病例进行回顾性分析,男32例,女24例;年龄42~79岁,平均(56.9±12.8)岁,病程2个月~16年,平均(10.6±3.2)年。所有患者术前经影像学检查显示有多节段颈椎间盘突出,并具有脊髓型颈椎病的临床表现。其中34例采用颈椎前路减压分段融合术(前路组),22例采用后路椎管扩大成形术(后路组)。通过影像学资料对两组患者手术前后的病变节段前柱高度和颈椎前曲度进行比较,并采用JOA评分评价手术效果。结果:两组患者无神经血管并发症发生,并获得24~36个月的随访(平均28.6个月)。前路组,术后2周时颈椎病变节段前柱高度较术前明显增高(P0.05),颈椎前曲度较术前明显降低(P0.05)。后路组,术后2周及末次随访时,病变节段前柱高度和颈椎前曲度较术前差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。两组间在术后2周及末次随访时颈椎前曲度差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术后两组JOA评分均出现了明显恢复,术后3个月及末次随访时,前路组明显高于后路组(P0.05),且JOA评分改善率前路组也优于后路组(P0.05)。结论:这种分段式前路融合手术可以有效地恢复颈椎前柱高度,并且与颈椎后路椎管扩大成形术相比,可以显著地改善脊髓功能,是治疗多节段脊髓型颈椎病的有效方案。     

Laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical myelopathy: an independent matched cohort analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: A matched cohort clinical and radiographic retrospective analysis of laminoplasty and laminectomy with fusion for the treatment of multilevel cervical myelopathy. OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of two procedures increasingly used to treat multilevel cervical myelopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Traditional methods of treating multilevel cervical myelopathy (laminectomy and corpectomy) are reported to have a notable frequency of complications. Laminoplasty and laminectomy with fusion have been advocated as superior procedures. A comparative study of these two techniques has not been reported. METHODS: Medical records of all patients treated for multilevel cervical myelopathy with either laminoplasty or laminectomy with fusion between 1994 and 1999 at our institution were reviewed. Thirteen patients that underwent laminectomy with fusion were matched with 13 patients that underwent laminoplasty. All patients and radiographs were independently evaluated at latest follow-up by a single physician. RESULTS: Cohorts were well matched based on patient age, duration of symptoms, and severity of myelopathy (Nurick grade) before surgery. Mean independent follow-up was similar (25.5 and 26.2 months). Both objective improvement in patient function (Nurick score) and the number of patients reporting subjective improvement in strength, dexterity, sensation, pain, and gait tended to be greater in the laminoplasty cohort. Whereas no complications occurred in the laminoplasty cohort, there were 14 complications in 9 patients that underwent laminectomy with fusion patients. Complications included progression of myelopathy, nonunion, instrumentation failure, development of a significant kyphotic alignment, persistent bone graft harvest site pain, subjacent degeneration requiring reoperation, and deep infection. CONCLUSIONS: The marked difference in complications and functional improvement between these matched cohorts suggests that laminoplasty may be preferable to laminectomy with fusion as a posterior procedure for multilevel cervical myelopathy.     

Subtotal corpectomy versus laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a long-term follow-up study over 10 years.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was conducted. OBJECTIVE: To compare the long-term outcomes of subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No study has compared the long-term outcomes between subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. METHODS: In this study, 23 patients treated with subtotal corpectomy and 24 patients treated with laminoplasty were followed up for 10 to 14 years after surgery. Neurologic recovery, late deterioration, axial pain, radiographic results (degenerative changes at adjacent levels, alignment, and range of motion of the cervical spine), and surgical complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No significant difference in neurologic recovery was found between the two groups 1 and 5 years after surgery, or at the latest follow-up assessment. Neurologic status deteriorated in one patient of the subtotal corpectomy group because of adjacent degeneration, and in one patient of the laminoplasty group because of hyperextension injury. Axial pain was observed in 15% of the corpectomy group and in 40% of the laminoplasty group (P < 0.05). In the corpectomy group, listhesis exceeding 2 mm developed at 38% of the upper adjacent levels, and osteophyte formation at 54% of the lower adjacent levels. In the laminoplasty group, kyphotic deformity developed in one patient (6%) after surgery. In the corpectomy group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 39.4 degrees to 19.2 degrees (49%) by the final follow-up assessment. In the laminoplasty group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 40.2 degrees to 11.6 degrees (29%) by the final follow-up assessment. Neurologic complications related to the surgery occurred in two patients (one myelopathy from bone graft dislodgement and one C5 root palsy from bone graft fracture) of the corpectomy group and four patients (C5 root palsy) of the laminoplasty group. All of these patients recovered over time. The corpectomy group needed longer operative time (P < 0.001) and tended to have more blood loss (P = 0.24). Six patients in the corpectomy group needed posterior interspinous wiring because of pseudarthrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty showed an identical effect from a surgical treatment for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. These neurologic recoveries usually last more than 10 years. In the subtotal corpectomy group, the disadvantages were longer surgical time, more blood loss, and pseudarthrosis. In the laminoplasty group, axial pain occurred frequently, and the range of motion was reduced severely.     

Prophylactic perioperative dexamethasone decreases the incidence of postoperative C5 palsies after a posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion

Background Context

Postoperative C5 palsy is a well-known complication of cervical decompression procedures. Studies have shown that posterior laminectomy and fusions confer the greatest risk of C5 palsy. Despite this, pharmacologic preventive measures remain unknown. We hypothesize that prophylactic perioperative dexamethasone (DEX) will decrease the rate of postoperative C5 palsy in patients undergoing a multilevel posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion.

Surgical strategy for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is a common cause of cervical myelopathy, and controversy remains regarding surgical options. Between January 2004 and December 2007, a total of 164 patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine who underwent surgical treatment at the authors' institution were included in this study. The choice of surgical option was based on pathological extent and cervical alignment. Short-segment pathology was treated via the anterior approach and long-segment pathology via the posterior approach. When the posterior approach was selected, laminoplasty was performed for the patients with cervical lordosis and laminectomy with fusion for those with cervical kyphosis. Consequently, anterior corpectomy and fusion was performed in 91 patients, laminoplasty in 41 patients, and laminectomy and instrumented fusion in 32 patients. The Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system was used to evaluate patients' neurological status, and related complications were also recorded. Clinical results between different approaches and techniques were compared at mid-term follow-up.Based on the results of this study and a review of previous literature, no significant differences existed between different approaches and techniques for patients with mild ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, but anterior corpectomy and fusion had significantly better results in patients with severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. With respect to the posterior approach, laminectomy and instrumented fusion improved the surgical results of patients with cervical kyphosis, but a high incidence of C5 palsy existed simultaneously.     

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.     

Risk factors associated with upper extremity palsy after expansive open-door laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy

Background contextPostoperative paresis, so-called C5 palsy, of the upper extremities is a common complication of cervical surgery. There have been several reports about upper extremity palsy after cervical laminoplasty for patients with cervical myelopathy. However, the possible risk factors remain unclear.PurposeTo investigate the factors associated with the development of upper extremity palsy after expansive open-door laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy.Study designA retrospective review of medical records.Patient sampleA total of 102 patients (76 men and 26 women) were eligible for analysis in this study. The mean age of the patients was 58.7 years (range 35–81 years). Sixteen patients (13 men and 3 women, average age 62.8 years) with palsy were categorized as Group P, and eighty-six patients (63 men and 23 women, average age 57.8 years) without palsy as Group C.Outcome measuresThe demographic data collected from both groups were age, sex, duration of symptoms, disease, and type of surgical procedure. Cervical curvature index, width of the intervertebral foramen (WIF) at C5, anterior protrusion of the superior articular process (APSAP), number of compressed segments, high–signal intensity zone at the level corresponding to C3–C5 (HIZ:C3–C5), and posterior shift of the spinal cord (PSSC) were also evaluated.MethodsUpper extremity palsy was defined as weakness of Grade 4 or less of the key muscles in the upper extremity by manual muscle test without any deterioration of myelopathic symptoms after surgery. Comparisons were made with screen for the parameters with significant differences, and then we further analyzed these parameters by logistic regression analysis (the forward method) to verify the risk factors of the upper extremity palsy.ResultsSignificant differences in diagnosis, the type of procedure, WIF, APSAP, and HIZ:C3–C5 were observed between the two groups. No statistical difference in PSSC between the groups was noted (2.06 vs. 2.53 mm, p=.247). In logistic regression analysis, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), cervical open-door laminoplasty together with posterior instrumented fusion (CLP+PIF), and WIF were found to be significant risk factors for postoperative upper extremity palsy.ConclusionsPatients with preoperative foraminal stenosis, OPLL, and additional iatrogenic foraminal stenosis because of CLP+PIF were more likely to develop postoperative upper extremity palsy. Attention should be given to the WIF determined on preoperative computed tomography of the C5 root. To prevent iatrogenic foraminal stenosis, appropriate distraction between spine segments should be provided during placement of the rod.     

Percutaneous multilevel decompressive laminectomy, foraminotomy, and instrumented fusion for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy: assessment of feasibility and surgical technique

OBJECT: Extensive muscle dissection associated with conventional dorsal approaches to the cervical spine frequently results in local pain, muscle wasting, and temporarily painful and restricted neck movement. The utility of a percutaneous muscle-sparing access technique and specifically modified instrumentation for multilevel posterior cervical decompression and fusion were evaluated. METHODS: Eleven patients (six men, five woman; mean age 72.8 +/- 6.3 years) presenting with refractory neck pain and progressive multilevel cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy due to cervical spondylosis with spinal canal and neural foraminal stenosis underwent multilevel laminectomy, foraminotomy, and subsequent instrumented posterior fusion via bilateral or unilateral percutaneous muscle dilation approaches. A novel cannulated polyaxial instrumentation system was used for unilateral transpedicular/translaminar fixation. RESULTS: Significant reduction of Neck Disability Index and Nurick Scale scores and partial or complete recovery of upper extremity radicular deficits was observed during follow-up (mean 14.6 months). Mean procedural blood loss was 45.5 ml, and mean length of stay in hospital was 5.7 days. Fusion was demonstrated in 10 patients between 12 and 14 months postoperatively. Operative exposure and instrumentation were significantly facilitated by specific modifications of retractor/access port systems, surgical instruments, and implants. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle sparing posterior decompression and instrumented fusion constitutes a safe and effective surgical option in a selected subgroup of patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic radiculomyelopathy. Specific modifications in surgical technique, instrumentation, and implants are mandatory for effective achievement of the surgical goals. The use of refined image guidance technology and intraoperative imaging can further improve surgical safety and efficacy.     

Long-term results of double-door laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study of the long-term results from double-door laminoplasty (Kurokawa's method) for patients with myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and cervical spondylosis was performed. OBJECTIVE: To know whether the short-term results from double-door laminoplasty were maintained over a 10-year period and, if not, the cause of late deterioration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There are few long-term follow-up studies on the outcome of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy. METHODS: In this study, 35 patients with cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine and 25 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including 5 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, underwent double-door laminoplasty from 1980 through 1988 and were followed over the next 10 years. The average follow-up period was 153 months (range, 120-200 months) in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 156 months (range, 121-218 months) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Neurologic deficits before and after surgery were assessed using a scoring system proposed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA score). Patients who showed late deterioration received further examination including computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine. RESULTS: In 32 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 23 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, myelopathy improved after surgery. The improvement of Japanese Orthopedic Association scores was maintained up to the final follow-up assessment in 26 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and 21 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Late neurologic deterioration occurred in 10 of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament an average of 8 years after surgery, and in 4 of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, including the 3 patients with athetoid cerebral palsy, an average of 11 years after surgery. The main causes of deterioration in patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were a minor trauma in patients with residual cervical cord compression caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and thoracic myelopathy resulting from ossification of the yellow ligament in the thoracic spine. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term results of laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy were maintained over 10years in 78% of the patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, and in most of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, except those with athetoid cerebral palsy. Double-door laminoplasty is a reliable procedure for individuals with cervical stenotic myelopathy.     

前路联合术式与后路单开门治疗3节段脊髓型颈椎病的疗效观察

目的:比较前路颈椎间盘切除融合术(anterior cervical discectomy and fusion,ACDF)联合前路椎体次全切钛网植骨融合术(anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion,ACCF)与颈后路单开门微型钛板内固定术治疗3节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法:对2014年3月至2016年3月手术治疗的63例(男39例,女24例)3节段脊髓型颈椎病患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,其中43例行ACDF联合ACCF(前路组),20例行颈后路单开门微型钛板内固定术(后路组)。比较两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、术后并发症发生率,并按照JOA评分标准评定两组患者的临床疗效。结果:所有病例获得随访,时间16~40个月,平均25.8个月。前路组与后路组患者手术时间分别为(123.70±6.21)min和(118.70±5.41)min,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术中出血量分别(85.23±7.51)ml和(107.18±9.41)ml,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。前路组发生轴性症状6例,吞咽困难1例,未发生C5神经根麻痹、声音嘶哑及呛咳等并发症,并发症发生率为16.3℅(7/43);后路组发生轴性症状5例,C5神经根麻痹1例,未发生吞咽困难、声音嘶哑及呛咳等并发症,并发症发生率为30.0℅(6/20),两组并发症发生率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。前路组术后1周及末次随访时的JOA评分均优于后路组(P0.05)。结论 :两种手术方式治疗脊髓型颈椎病均能提供即刻的稳定性,前路联合手术在术中出血量、并发症发生率、临床疗效方面均优于后路组,因此对于连续性3节段脊髓型颈椎病的治疗倾向于前路联合手术。     

Prophylaxis of C5 palsy after cervical expansive laminoplasty by bilateral partial foraminotomy

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: It is known that postoperative motor palsy at the C5 level occurs with anterior decompression or posterior decompression and has a relatively good prognosis, but the pathogenesis and possible prophylactic measures of the palsy remain unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bilateral partial foraminotomy for preventing C5 palsy from occurring after cervical decompression surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review was performed concerning the risk factors of the C5 palsy based on the preoperative clinical findings. To investigate the prophylactic effect of the partial foraminotomy, we examined a difference of an incidence of the C5 palsy by performing concurrent partial foraminotomy with expansive laminoplasty. PATIENT SAMPLE: A total of 305 cases of cervical expansive laminoplasty performed for spondylotic myelopathy or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament were reviewed. METHODS: We analyzed 305 cases of cervical expansive laminoplasty to investigate the preoperative risk factors that may cause postoperative C5 palsy. To clarify the relationship of the foraminotomy and development of the C5 palsy, we examined 230 patients in whom foraminotomy could be confirmed by operative records. RESULTS: Of the 305 patients, postoperative C5 palsy occurred in 13 patients (4.3%): 10 patients had radicular pain (77%), and 8 patients had sensory disturbances (62%). We assessed all neurological findings and X-ray, computed tomography and electromyographic findings, but no statistical differences were found in any of the preoperative clinical findings relative to the occurrence of postoperative C5 palsy. For the open side, 108 cases underwent foraminotomy and 122 cases did not, whereas on the hinge side, 54 cases received foraminotomy and 176 cases did not. In order to investigate the prophylactic effect of foraminotomy, we totaled the open side and hinge side, and calculated the number of bone gutters: 162 gutters had concurrent foraminotomy and 298 gutters did not. Postoperatively, C5 palsy occurred in 1 gutter (0.6%) in the former group and in 12 gutters (4.0%) in the latter group (p<.05, Fisher's direct method). CONCLUSIONS: There were no specific risk factors among the preoperative clinical findings related to C5 palsy. Bilateral partial foraminotomy was effective for preventing C5 palsy.     

Selective blocking laminoplasty in cervical laminectomy and fusion to prevent postoperative C5 palsy

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Cervical laminectomy and fusion (CLF) is a common surgical option for multilevel cord compression. Postoperative C5 palsy occurrence after CLF has been a vexing problem for spine physicians. The posterior shift of the cord following laminectomy has been implicated as a major factor for postoperative C5 palsy, but attempts by spine surgeons to mitigate excessive shift while providing sufficient decompression have not been well reported.

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.     

An analysis of factors causing poor surgical outcome in patients with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: anterior decompression with spinal fusion versus laminoplasty

OBJECTIVE: We compared the surgical outcome of anterior decompression with spinal fusion (ASF) with the surgical outcome of laminoplasty for patients with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. METHODS: The study group comprised 19 ASF patients (A-group) and 40 laminoplasty patients (P-group) treated from 1993 to 2002 with 1 year or longer follow-up. The Japanese Orthopedic Association scoring system was used to evaluate cervical myelopathy, and the recovery rate calculated 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: The mean recovery rate was 68.4% in the A-group and 52.5% in the P-group (P<0.05). Fifteen patients had a recovery rate less than 40%: 2 in the A-group and 13 in the P-group. One P-group patient and none of the A-group patients developed postoperative aggravation of their neurologic status. The P-group was divided into 2 subgroups: a good outcome group comprising patients whose recovery rate was 40% or higher (n=27) and a poor outcome group comprising patients whose recovery rate was less than 40% (n=13). The mean age at surgery was 59.9 years in the good outcome group and 68.0 years in the poor outcome group (P<0.05). The mean range of intervertebral mobility at maximum cord compression level before surgery was 6.9 degrees in the good outcome group and 10 degrees in the poor outcome group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that the surgical outcome of ASF was superior to the surgical outcome of laminoplasty. Elderly patients treated with laminoplasty showed an especially poor surgical outcome. We suggest that hypermobility of vertebrae at the cord compression level is a risk factor for poor surgical outcome after laminoplasty. Based on these results, we recommend that ASF should be the first choice of treatment for patients with significant ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and a hypermobile cervical spine. When laminoplasty is used for such cases, the addition of posterior instrumented fusion would be desirable for stabilizing the spine and decreasing damage to the spinal cord.     

颈后路单开门椎管成形术门轴位置内移的疗效分析

目的探讨颈后路单开门椎管成形术门轴位置内移与术后临床疗效关系。方法将68例确诊为脊髓型颈椎病并行颈后路单开门椎管成形术的患者按治疗方法分为两组:1宽开门组:36例,为常规开门组,门轴位置为侧块内缘;2窄开门组:32例,为门轴内移组,门轴位于椎板外缘1/4处。比较两组患者手时间、术中出血量、术后神经功能恢复情况,以Ishihara法测定颈椎曲度指数、颈椎活动度及影像学的各项指标作统计学分析。结果手术时间、出血量、JOA评分改善率、颈椎曲度指数、颈椎活动度两组比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。患者均获得随访,时间2年。两组患者术后均获得了满意的神经功能改善,但是轴性症状和C5神经根麻痹发生率窄开门组明显低于宽开门组(P0.01)。结论手术中适当将门轴位置内移既可以保证手术效果,又可以限制脊髓过度后移,有效避免C5神经根麻痹的发生,降低轴性症状的发生概率。     

Surgically treated cervical myelopathy: a functional outcome comparison study between multilevel anterior cervical decompression fusion with instrumentation and posterior laminoplasty

Background contextMultilevel cervical myelopathy can be treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or corpectomy via the anterior approach and laminoplasty via the posterior approach. Till date, there is no proven superior approach.PurposeTo elucidate any potential advantage of one approach over the other with regard to clinical midterm outcomes in this study.Study designA prospective, 2-year follow-up of patients with cervical myelopathy treated with multilevel anterior cervical decompression fusion and plating and posterior laminoplasty.Patient sampleIn total, 116 patients were studied. Sixty-four patients underwent ACDF two levels and above or anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion one level and above. Fifty-two patients underwent posterior cervical surgery (laminoplasty C3–C6 and C3–C7).Outcome measuresSelf-report measures: Japan Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, JOA recovery rate, visual analog scale for neck pain (VASNP), neck disability index (NDI), and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) neurogenic symptom score (AAOS-NSS). Physiologic measures: range of motion (ROM) flexion and extension of neck. Functional measures: short-form 36 (SF-36) score comprising physical functioning, physical role function, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social role function, emotional role function, and mental health scales.MethodsComparison of the JOA scores, JOA recovery rates, NDI scores, SF-36 scores, VASNP, and ROM preoperatively to 2 years. Chi-square and two-sided Student t tests were used to analyze the variables.ResultsPosterior surgery took an hour shorter (p<.05) and had better improvement in JOA scores at early follow-up of 6 months (p=.025). Anterior surgery group had better improvement of NDI scores at early follow-up of 6 months (p=.024) and was associated with less blood loss intraoperatively compared with posterior surgery. There was no statistical difference between the two groups for JOA scores, JOA recovery rates, SF-36 quality-of-life scores, NDI, AAOS-NSS, VAS neck pain, and ROM at 2 years. Complications were higher for anterior surgery group: two hematoma postoperation, one vocal cord paresis, and one new onset C6/C7 dermatome numbness versus one dura leak in posterior surgery group.ConclusionsOur study showed that patients with multilevel disease treated with laminoplasty do well and compare favorably with patients treated with an anterior approach. Notably, posterior surgery was associated with shorter operating time, better improvement in JOA scores at 6 months, and a tendency toward lesser complications. Posterior surgery was not associated with increased neck disability and neck pain at 2 years. Anterior surgery had better NDI improvement at early follow-up. There is a need for a larger study that is prospectively randomized with long-term follow-up before we can confidently advocate one approach over the other in the management of cervical myelopathy.     

颈后路单开门椎管成形术治疗脊髓型颈椎病

目的:观察颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术对颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病的临床效果和可行性。方法:采用颈后路椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病30例,男19例,女11例,常规C3-C7减压,棘突打孔10号线固定在门轴侧侧块关节囊上12例,门轴侧C3、C5、C7侧块螺钉固定悬吊椎板18例,术前和术后通过日本骨科学会JOA评分(17分法)评估临床疗效。结果:30例均获得随访,随访时间6～76个月,平均25个月。按照JOA评分:优8例,良14例,可6例,差2例,优良率73.33%(22/30)。其中3例术后3个月内发生C4或C5神经根麻痹,经保守治疗痊愈。2例在2年内因疗效不佳再行前路手术。结论:颈后路单开门椎管扩大成形术治疗颈椎管狭窄合并钳夹型脊髓型颈椎病是一种简单、有效可行的方法,尤其适应于老年人。     

颈椎后路减压术后脊髓后移的临床意义

 目的 探讨颈椎后路全椎板减压和椎管成形术后脊髓后移对多节段脊髓型颈椎病的临床 意义。方法 回顾性分析 2004年 6月至 2007年 9月 65例多节段脊髓型颈椎病患者的病例资料, 男 41例, 女 24例;年龄 39~75岁, 平均 56.3岁。 33例采用颈后路选择性椎板切除术(切除组), 32例采用 颈后路单开门椎管成形术(开门组)。两组患者术前日本矫形骨科学会(Japanese Orthopaedics Associa tion, JOA)评分、颈椎曲度指数的差异无统计学意义。术后 1年, 评估两组的脊髓后移距离、神经功能 (JOA评分)改善率、颈椎曲度指数丢失及轴性症状评分。结果 全部病例均获得 26~47个月的随访, 平均 34个月。切除组术后 1年脊髓后移距离(1.4±0.6) mm, 开门组(3.3±1.2) mm,差异有统计学意义;切除组 JOA评分改善率 60.5%±21.3%, 开门组 61.1%±17.9%,差异无统计学意义;切除组颈椎曲度指数丢失 3.3%±1.7%, 开门组 3.1%±2.4%, 差异无统计学意义;切除组 18.2%(6/33)的患者术后有明显轴性症状, 开门组为 33.3%(10/30), 两组轴性症状临床评分的差异有统计学意义。结论 选择性椎板切除术后脊髓后移距离小于单开门椎管成形术。脊髓后移程度与术后功能恢复程度及颈椎曲度无关, 而与轴性症 状有关。