A Study of the Clinical Outcome of Laminoplasty for Cervical Compressive Myelopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic factors that affect the surgical outcome of laminoplasty in patients with cervical compressive myelopathy. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 43 cases of multi-level cervical compressive myelopathy treated operatively with expansive laminoplasty (Itoh surgical technique), from June 1989 to August 2008. The mean follow-up duration was 7 years. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Hirabayashi recovery rate and improvement of Pavlov's ratio were used to assess the clinical results after laminoplasty. Results: The mean Japanese Orthopaedic Association score improved from 9.7 to 13.7 points after laminoplasty (p < 0.001), with 65.1% excellent or good results. The Pavlov ratio improved from 0.71 to 0.9 after operation (p < 0.001). Excellent or good surgical outcome is demonstrated in patients aged <70 years. Conclusion: Laminoplasty is a viable surgical option for patients with three or more levelsofcervical cord compression. Patients youngerthan 70 years predict a favourable surgical outcome.

Keywords

• cervical myelopathy
• laminoplasty