Treatment of cervical stenotic myelopathy: a cost and outcome comparison of laminoplasty versus laminectomy and lateral mass fusion

Object Cervical stenotic myelopathy due to spondylosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament is often treated with laminoplasty or cervical laminectomy (with fusion). The goal of this study was to compare outcomes, radiographic results, complications, and implant costs associated with these 2 treatments. Methods The authors analyzed the records of 56 patients (age range 42–81 years) who were surgically treated for cervical stenosis. Of this group, 30 underwent laminoplasty and 26 underwent laminectomy with fusion. Patients who had cervical kyphosis or spondylolisthesis were excluded. An average of 4 levels were instrumented in the laminoplasty group and 5 levels in the fusion group (p < 0.01). Forty-two percent of the fusions crossed the cervicothoracic junction, but no laminoplasty instrumentation crossed the cervicothoracic junction, and it only reached C-7 in one-third of the cases. Preoperative and postoperative Nurick grades and modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scores were obtained. Outcomes were also assessed with neck pain visual analog scale (VAS) scores and the Odom outcome criteria. Postoperative length of stay, complications, and implant costs were calculated. Results The mean duration of follow-up, average patient age, and length of hospital stay were similar for both groups. The mean Nurick scores were also similar in the 2 groups and improved an average of 1.4 points in both (p < 0.01 for preoperative-postoperative comparison in each group). The mean mJOA scores improved 2.7 points in laminoplasty patients and 2.8 points in fusion patients (p < 0.01 for each group). The mean VAS scores for neck pain did not change significantly in the laminoplasty cohort (3.2 ± 2.8 [SD] preoperatively vs 3.4 ± 2.6 postoperatively, p = 0.50). In the fusion cohort, the mean VAS scores improved from 5.8 ± 3.2 to 3.0 ± 2.3 (p < 0.01). Excellent or good Odom outcomes were observed in 76.7% of the patients in the laminoplasty cohort and 80.8% of those in the fusion cohort (p = 0.71). In the fusion group, complications were twice as common and implant costs were nearly 3 times as high as in the laminoplasty group. When cases involving fusions crossing the cervicothoracic junction were excluded, analysis showed similar complication rates in the 2 groups. Conclusions Patients treated with laminoplasty and patients treated with laminectomy and fusion had similar improvements in Nurick scores, mJOA scores, and Odom outcomes. Patients who underwent fusion typically had higher preoperative neck pain scores, but their neck pain improved significantly after surgery. There was no significant change in the neck pain scores of patients treated with laminoplasty. Our series suggests cervical fusion significantly reduces neck pain in patients with stenotic myelopathy, but that the cost of the implant and rate of reoperation are greater than in laminoplasty.

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Laminoplasty outcomes: is there a difference between patients with degenerative stenosis and those with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament?

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2011.1.focus10279 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. E9 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Scott A. Meyer ◽

Jau-Ching Wu ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Estimated Blood Loss ◽

The Mean ◽

Cervical Stenotic Myelopathy

Object Two common causes of cervical myelopathy include degenerative stenosis and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). It has been postulated that patients with OPLL have more complications and worse outcomes than those with degenerative stenosis. The authors sought to compare the surgical results of laminoplasty in the treatment of cervical stenosis with myelopathy due to either degenerative changes or segmental OPLL. Methods The authors conducted a retrospective review of 40 instrumented laminoplasty cases performed at a single institution over a 4-year period to treat cervical myelopathy without kyphosis. Twelve of these patients had degenerative cervical stenotic myelopathy ([CSM]; degenerative group), and the remaining 28 had segmental OPLL (OPLL group). The 2 groups had statistically similar demographic characteristics and number of treated levels (mean 3.9 surgically treated levels; p > 0.05). The authors collected perioperative and follow-up data, including radiographic results. Results The overall clinical follow-up rate was 88%, and the mean clinical follow-up duration was 16.4 months. The mean radiographic follow-up rate was 83%, and the mean length of radiographic follow-up was 9.3 months. There were no significant differences in the estimated blood loss (EBL) or length of hospital stay (LOS) between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean EBL and LOS for the degenerative group were 206 ml and 3.7 days, respectively. The mean EBL and LOS for the OPLL group were 155 ml and 4 days, respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement of more than one grade in the Nurick score for both groups following surgery (p < 0.05). The Nurick score improvement was not statistically different between the groups (p > 0.05). The visual analog scale (VAS) neck pain scores were similar between groups pre- and postoperatively (p > 0.05). The complication rates were not statistically different between groups either (p > 0.05). Radiographically, both groups lost extension range of motion (ROM) following laminoplasty, but this change was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions Patients with CSM due to either degenerative disease or segmental OPLL have similar perioperative results and neurological outcomes with laminoplasty. The VAS neck pain scores did not improve significantly with laminoplasty for either group. Laminoplasty may limit extension ROM.

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Is there a difference in range of motion, neck pain, and outcomes in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament versus those with cervical spondylosis, treated with plated laminoplasty?

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2013.4.focus1394 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 35 (1) ◽

pp. E9 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Takahito Fujimori ◽

Hai Le ◽

John E. Ziewacz ◽

Dean Chou ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

San Francisco ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽

Minimum Clinically Important Difference ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Flexion Angle ◽

Radiographic Outcomes ◽

The Mean

Object There are little data on the effects of plated, or plate-only, open-door laminoplasty on cervical range of motion (ROM), neck pain, and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare ROM after a plated laminoplasty in patients with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) versus those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and to correlate ROM with postoperative neck pain and neurological outcomes. Methods The authors retrospectively compared patients with a diagnosis of cervical stenosis due to either OPLL or CSM who had been treated with plated laminoplasty in the period from 2007 to 2012 at the University of California, San Francisco. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (mJOA) scale and neck visual analog scale (VAS). Radiographic outcomes included assessment of changes in the C2–7 Cobb angle at flexion and extension, ROM at C2–7, and ROM of proximal and distal segments adjacent to the plated lamina. Results Sixty patients (40 men and 20 women) with an average age of 63.1 ± 10.9 years were included in the study. Forty-one patients had degenerative CSM and 19 patients had OPLL. The mean follow-up period was 20.9 ± 13.1 months. The mean mJOA score significantly improved in both the CSM and the OPLL groups (12.8 to 14.5, p < 0.01; and 13.2 to 14.2, respectively; p = 0.04). In the CSM group, the mean VAS neck score significantly improved from 4.2 to 2.6 after surgery (p = 0.01), but this improvement did not reach the minimum clinically important difference (MCID). Neither was there significant improvement in the VAS neck score in the OPLL group (3.6 to 3.1, p = 0.17). In the CSM group, ROM at C2–7 significantly decreased from 32.7° before surgery to 24.4° after surgery (p < 0.01). In the OPLL group, ROM at C2–7 significantly decreased from 34.4° to 20.8° (p < 0.01). In the CSM group, the change in the VAS neck score significantly correlated with the change in the flexion angle (r = − 0.31) and the extension angle (r = − 0.37); however, it did not correlate with the change in ROM at C2–7 (r = − 0.1). In the OPLL group, the change in the VAS neck score did not correlate with the change in the flexion angle (r = 0.03), the extension angle (r = − 0.17), or the ROM at C2–7 (r = − 0.28). The OPLL group had a significantly greater loss of ROM after surgery than did the CSM group (p = 0.04). There was no significant correlation between the change in ROM and the mJOA score in either group. Conclusions Plated laminoplasty in patients with either OPLL or CSM decreases cervical ROM, especially in the extension angle. Among patients who have undergone laminoplasty, those with OPLL lose more ROM than do those with CSM. No correlation was observed between neck pain and ROM in either group. Neither group had a change in neck pain that reached the MCID following laminoplasty. Both groups improved in neurological function and outcomes.

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Effect of preservation of the C-6 spinous process and its paraspinal muscular attachment on the prevention of postoperative axial neck pain in C3–6 laminoplasty

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.11.spine131153 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 221-229 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Eiji Mori ◽

Takayoshi Ueta ◽

Takeshi Maeda ◽

Itaru Yugué ◽

Osamu Kawano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Spinous Process ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Paraspinal Muscle ◽

Vas Scores ◽

The Mean ◽

Axial Neck Pain ◽

Process Length ◽

Preservation Technique

OBJECT Axial neck pain after C3–6 laminoplasty has been reported to be significantly lesser than that after C3–7 laminoplasty because of the preservation of the C-7 spinous process and the attachment of nuchal muscles such as the trapezius and rhomboideus minor, which are connected to the scapula. The C-6 spinous process is the second longest spinous process after that of C-7, and it serves as an attachment point for these muscles. The effect of preserving the C-6 spinous process and its muscular attachment, in addition to preservation of the C-7 spinous process, on the prevention of axial neck pain is not well understood. The purpose of the current study was to clarify whether preservation of the paraspinal muscles of the C-6 spinous process reduces postoperative axial neck pain compared to that after using nonpreservation techniques. METHODS The authors studied 60 patients who underwent C3–6 double-door laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; the minimum follow-up period was 1 year. Twenty-five patients underwent a C-6 paraspinal muscle preservation technique, and 35 underwent a C-6 nonpreservation technique. A visual analog scale (VAS) and VAS grading (Grades I–IV) were used to assess axial neck pain 1–3 months after surgery and at the final follow-up examination. Axial neck pain was classified as being 1 of 5 types, and its location was divided into 5 areas. The potential correlation between the C-6/C-7 spinous process length ratio and axial neck pain was examined. RESULTS The mean VAS scores (± SD) for axial neck pain were comparable between the C6-preservation group and the C6-nonpreservation group in both the early and late postoperative stages (4.1 ± 3.1 vs 4.0 ± 3.2 and 3.8 ± 2.9 vs 3.6 ± 3.0, respectively). The distribution of VAS grades was comparable in the 2 groups in both postoperative stages. Stiffness was the most prevalent complaint in both groups (64.0% and 54.5%, respectively), and the suprascapular region was the most common site in both groups (60.0% and 57.1%, respectively). The types and locations of axial neck pain were also similar between the groups. The C-6/C-7 spinous process length ratios were similar in the groups, and they did not correlate with axial neck pain. The reductions of range of motion and changes in sagittal alignment after surgery were also similar. CONCLUSIONS The C-6 paraspinal muscle preservation technique was not superior to the C6-nonpreservation technique for preventing postoperative axial neck pain.

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Comparison of Postoperative Renal Function between Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug and Opioids for Patient-Controlled Analgesia after Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9092959 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 2959

Author(s):

Jiwon Han ◽

Young-Tae Jeon ◽

Ah-Young Oh ◽

Chang-Hoon Koo ◽

Yu Kyung Bae ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renal Function ◽

Serum Creatinine ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Laparoscopic Nephrectomy ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Patient Controlled Analgesia ◽

Pain Scores ◽

Postoperative Renal Function ◽

Anti Inflammatory

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used as opioid alternatives for patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). However, their use after nephrectomy has raised concerns regarding possible nephrotoxicity. This study compared postoperative renal function and postoperative outcomes between patients using NSAID and patients using opioids for PCA in nephrectomy. In this retrospective observational study, records were reviewed for 913 patients who underwent laparoscopic or robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy from 2015 to 2017. After propensity score matching, 247 patients per group were analyzed. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) percentages (postoperative value divided by preoperative value), blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine ratios, and serum creatinine percentages were compared at 2 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery between users of NSAID and users of opioids for PCA. Additionally, postoperative complication rates, postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) incidences, postoperative pain scores, and lengths of hospital stay were compared between groups. Postoperative GFR percentages, BUN/creatinine ratios, and serum creatinine percentages were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative complications, incidences of AKI, and pain scores at 30 min, 6 h, 48 h, or 7 days postoperatively. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the NSAID group than in the opioid group. This study showed no association between the use of NSAID for PCA after laparoscopic nephrectomy and the incidence of postoperative renal dysfunction.

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Conservative management of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2011.1.focus10273 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. E2 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Martin H. Pham ◽

Frank J. Attenello ◽

Joshua Lucas ◽

Shuhan He ◽

Christopher J. Stapleton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Conservative Management ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score ◽

Clinical Progression ◽

Association Score ◽

Rate Of Progression ◽

The Mean ◽

High Chance

Object Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) can result in significant myelopathy. Surgical treatment for OPLL has been extensively documented in the literature, but less data exist on conservative management of this condition. Methods The authors conducted a systematic review to identify all reported cases of OPLL that were conservatively managed without surgery. Results The review yielded 11 published studies reporting on a total of 480 patients (range per study 1–359 patients) over a mean follow-up period of 14.6 years (range 0.4–26 years). Of these 480 patients, 348 (72.5%) were without myelopathy on initial presentation, whereas 76 patients (15.8%) had signs of myelopathy; in 56 cases (15.8%), the presence of myelopathy was not specified. The mean aggregate Japanese Orthopaedic Association score on presentation for 111 patients was 15.3. Data available for 330 patients who initially presented without myelopathy showed progression to myelopathy in 55 (16.7%), whereas the other 275 (83.3%) remained progression free. In the 76 patients presenting with myelopathy, 37 (48.7%) showed clinical progression, whereas 39 (51.5%) remained clinically unchanged or improved. Conclusions Patients who present without myelopathy have a high chance of remaining progression free. Those who already have signs of myelopathy at presentation may benefit from surgery due to a higher rate of progression over continued follow-up.

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Surgery for Pediatric Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction—Comparison of Outcomes in Relation to Surgical Technique and Operating Discipline in Germany

European Journal of Pediatric Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1668149 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (01) ◽

pp. 033-038 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Klora ◽

J. Zeidler ◽

S. Eberhard ◽

S. Bassler ◽

S. Mayer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Surgical Technique ◽

Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Ureteropelvic Junction ◽

Treatment Modalities ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty ◽

Small Children ◽

The Mean ◽

Open Pyeloplasty

Introduction Surgery for ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) is performed by both pediatric surgeons (PS) and urologists (URO). The aim of this study was to analyze treatment modalities for UPJO and results in relation to the surgical technique and the operating discipline in Germany. Materials and Methods Data of patients aged 0 to 18 years were extracted from a major public health insurance (covering ∼5.7 million clients) during 2009 to 2016 and were analyzed for sociodemographic variables, surgical technique, and treating discipline. Logistic regression analysis was performed for the risk of a complication within the first postoperative year. Results A total of 229 children (31.0% female) were included. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) was performed in 58 (25.3%) patients (8.6 ± 6.4 years), and open pyeloplasty (OP) was applied in 171 (74.7%; 4.6 ± 5.9 years). LP was the dominant technique in females (p < 0.02); males preferentially underwent OP (p < 0.02). Length of hospital stay was 4.3 days (p = 0.0005) shorter in LP compared with that in OP, especially in children ≤ 2 years (6.7 days, p = 0.007). PS operated on 162 children (70.7%), and URO performed surgery on 67 patients (29.3%). The mean age of children operated by PS (3.5 ± 4.7 years) was significantly younger compared with that operated by URO (10.8 ± 6.5 years, p < 0.0001). Complication rates were independent of surgical technique or treating specialty. Conclusion In Germany, UPJO was treated by LP in 25.3% of patients, which was associated with a shorter length of stay, especially in children ≤ 2 years. Complication rates were independent of the operating specialty and surgical technique. Therefore, LP should be further promoted for the treatment of UPJO in small children.

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Cervical laminoplasty developments and trends, 2003–2013: a systematic review

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2014.11.spine14427 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 24-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 36

Author(s):

Stephan Duetzmann ◽

Tyler Cole ◽

John K. Ratliff

Keyword(s):

Neck Pain ◽

Range Of Motion ◽

Single Case ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽

Case Series ◽

Visual Analog Scale Score ◽

Open Side ◽

The Mean ◽

Axial Neck Pain

OBJECT Despite extensive clinical experience with laminoplasty, the efficacy of the procedure and its advantages over laminectomy remain unclear. Specific clinical elements, such as incidence or progression of kyphosis, incidence of axial neck pain, postoperative cervical range of motion, and incidence of postoperative C-5 palsies, are of concern. The authors sought to comprehensively review the laminoplasty literature over the past 10 years while focusing on these clinical elements. METHODS The authors conducted a literature search of articles in the Medline database published between 2003 and 2013, in which the terms “laminoplasty,” “laminectomy,” and “posterior cervical spine procedures” were used as key words. Included was every single case series in which patient outcomes after a laminoplasty procedure were reported. Excluded were studies that did not report on at least one of the above-mentioned items. RESULTS A total of 103 studies, the results of which contained at least 1 of the prespecified outcome variables, were identified. These studies reported 130 patient groups comprising 8949 patients. There were 3 prospective randomized studies, 1 prospective nonrandomized alternating study, 15 prospective nonrandomized data collections, and 84 retrospective reviews. The review revealed a trend for the use of miniplates or hydroxyapatite spacers on the open side in Hirabayashi-type laminoplasty or on the open side in a Kurokawa-type laminoplasty. Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring was reported most commonly; in the 4949 patients for whom a JOA score was reported, there was improvement from a mean (± SD) score of 9.91 (± 1.65) to a score of 13.68 (± 1.05) after a mean follow-up of 44.18 months (± 35.1 months). The mean preoperative and postoperative C2–7 angles (available for 2470 patients) remained stable from 14.17° (± 0.19°) to 13.98° (± 0.19°) of lordosis (average follow-up 39 months). The authors found significantly decreased kyphosis when muscle/posterior element–sparing techniques were used (p = 0.02). The use of hardware in the form of hydroxyapatite spacers or miniplates did not influence the progression of deformity (p = 0.889). An overall mean (calculated from 2390 patients) of 47.3% loss of range of motion was reported. For the studies that used a visual analog scale score (totaling 986 patients), the mean (cohort size–adjusted) postoperative pain level at a mean follow-up of 29 months was 2.78. For the studies that used percentages of patients who complained of postoperative axial neck pain (totaling 1249 patients), the mean patient number–adjusted percentage was 30% at a mean follow-up of 51 months. The authors found that 16% of the studies that were published in the last 10 years reported a C-5 palsy rate of more than 10% (534 patients), 41% of the studies reported a rate of 5%–10% (n = 1006), 23% of the studies reported a rate of 1%–5% (n = 857), and 12.5% reported a rate of 0% (n = 168). CONCLUSIONS Laminoplasty remains a valid option for decompression of the spinal cord. An understanding of the importance of the muscle-ligament complex, plus the introduction of hardware, has led to progress in this type of surgery. Reporting of outcome metrics remains variable, which makes comparisons among the techniques difficult.

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Staged Bilateral Hip or Knee Arthroplasties

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery ◽

10.1177/230949900701500206 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 159-162 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

FR Hashmi ◽

K Barlas ◽

CF Mann ◽

FR Howell

Keyword(s):

Hospital Admission ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Operating Time ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Mean Difference ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Early Complication ◽

Early Complications ◽

Hospital Stays ◽

The Mean

Purpose. To compare the operating time, amount of blood transfused, length of hospital stay, and early complications (within 6 months) between 2-week staged bilateral arthroplasties and matched randomised controls undergoing unilateral arthroplasties. Methods. From October 1992 to October 2000, 90 patients who underwent bilateral hip or knee arthroplasties with a 2-week interval were compared with matched randomised controls undergoing unilateral arthroplasties. A single surgeon performed all procedures. Results. After the match-up process, 30 pairs of patients were included in the analysis. There were no significant differences in the operating times, amount of blood transfused, and early complication rates. The mean difference in length of hospital stay was significant ( t= −3.552, df=29, p<0.001). Conclusion. Compared to staged procedures with an interval months apart, staged sequential arthroplasty with a 7- to 10-day interval during one hospital admission is more efficient, as it facilitates earlier rehabilitation without higher complication rates, and entails shorter hospital stays.

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Clinical results of cervical myelopathy in patients older than 80 years of age: evaluation of spinal function with motor evoked potentials

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2009.4.spine08584 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 421-426 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nobuhiro Tanaka ◽

Kazuyoshi Nakanishi ◽

Yoshinori Fujimoto ◽

Hirofumi Sasaki ◽

Naosuke Kamei ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Motor Evoked Potentials ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽

Motor Evoked Potential ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Clinical Results ◽

Conduction Time ◽

Average Recovery Rate ◽

The Mean ◽

Spinal Function

Object In this prospective analysis the authors describe the clinical results of surgical treatment in patients > 80 years of age in whom spinal function was evaluated with motor evoked potential (MEPs) monitoring. Methods The authors included 57 patients > 80 years of age who were suspected of having cervical myelopathy. The mean age of the patients was 83.0 years (range 80–90 years). The central motor conduction time (CMCT) was calculated from the latencies of the MEPs following transcranial magnetic stimulation and from M and F waves following peripheral nerve stimulation. Results Preoperative electrophysiological evaluation demonstrated significant elongation of CMCT or abnormalities in MEP waveforms in 37 patients (65%), and 35 patients of these underwent laminoplasty. In 30 patients cervical spondylotic myelopathy was diagnosed and 5 patients ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament was diagnosed. The preoperative mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale score was 8.6 (range 3–12.5) and the mean postoperative score was 12.6 (range 6–14.5) with an average recovery rate of 45% (range −21 to 100%). There were no major complications in any of the patients during the operative period and there were no cases of death resulting from operative intervention. Conclusions Sufficient clinical results are expected even in patients with myelopathy who are older than 80 years of age, provided the patients are correctly selected by electrophysiological evaluation with MEPs and CMCT.

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Double Dome Laminoplasty: A Novel Technique for C2 Decompression

Neurospine ◽

10.14245/ns.2143028.514 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 882-888

Author(s):

Dong-Ho Lee ◽

Gian Karlo P. Dadufalza ◽

Jong-Min Baik ◽

Sehan Park ◽

Jae Hwan Cho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Visual Analogue Scale ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Cervical Myelopathy ◽

Analogue Scale ◽

Japanese Orthopaedic Association ◽

Posterior Longitudinal Ligament ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Laminar Fracture ◽

Cervical Spine Alignment ◽

New Surgical Technique

Objective: To introduce a new surgical technique - double dome laminoplasty for decompression of the entire C2 lamina and preservation of an extensor muscle insertion.Methods: Eleven consecutive cervical myelopathy patients due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament involving the Axis (C2) area were contained at this study. Direct decompression was evaluated as an increasing rate in space available cord (%) and posterior cord shift (mm) at C2 level. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale, and C2–7 Cobb angle in a neutral lateral x-ray were analyzed.Results: The mean increase in space available for spinal cord at the C2 level, average posterior cord shift, and JOA recovery rate were 69.7%, 5.3 ± 0.15 mm, and 58.0%, respectively. Cervical lordotic angle was maintained in all patients. One patient reported neck pain (visual analogue scale 6) postoperatively. No specific complications such as C2 laminar fracture or insufficient decompression were observed.Conclusion: We recommend double dome laminoplasty for treating patients with cervical myelopathy involving the C2 area to avoid C2 laminectomy, reduce postoperative neck pain, and maintain lordotic cervical spine alignment.

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