Laminoplasty for cervical spondylosis – own results

Introduction: Laminoplasty is a surgical widening of cervical spinal canal through reconstruction of posterior arch with bone graft. The aim of the paper is to analyze the results of surgery in the multi-level cervical myelopathy with a T-laminoplasty method using own bone grafts. Material and methods: Described method was applied in 14 patients with circular cervical stenosis operated on between. Mean age at surgery was 55 years, and minimal duration of follow-up period was 6 months. During preoperative examination, pain was noted in all cases, and in some of them progressive neurological impairment was observed: sensory disturbances and weakening of upper limb muscles that decreased range of active motion. Before surgery, lordosis of an average of 11.5o in 12 patients and small local kyphosis in 2 patients were measured on lateral radiogram. MRI showed spinal canal stenosis up to 7.3mm on average, and changes typical for cervical myelopathy. Significant pain relief and neurological improvement was gained in most patients. Results: On postoperative radiograms, mean cervical lordosis was 8.5o, and in 2 patients small cervical kyphosis remained. In control MRI examination diameter of spinal canal was 11.2mm on average. One complication occurred: dura tear by bone graft in third day after surgery, that required additional operation. Conclusions: Cervical laminoplasty allows for broadening of the spinal canal and decreasing of neurological impairment without destabilization of spinal column.