Long-term follow-up of clinical and radiological outcome after cervical laminectomy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate long-term clinical and radiological results of cervical laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion for degenerative spinal cord compression.

METHODS:

A retrospective follow-up study of patients in which clinical data (n = 207), questionnaires (n = 96) and fluoroscopy (n = 77) were reviewed.

RESULTS:

Postoperative perceived recovery was reported by 76 and 63 % of patients at 3 months and 9 years, respectively. Functional status remained unchanged. The incidence of kyphosis and segmental instability was 15 and 18 %, respectively, and occurred almost exclusively if preoperative lordosis was <20°. Neither kyphosis nor segmental instability correlated to perceived recovery and no predisposing variables were identified.

CONCLUSIONS:

Cervical laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion should be considered as a treatment for compressive degenerative cervical myelopathy in patients with a lordotic cervical spine without congenital deformities. Additional reconstructive correction of the cervical spine is only proven appropriate in selected cases.

• Authors: Sarita van Geest, Anouk M J de Vormer, Mark P Arts, Wilco C Peul, Carmen L A Vleggeert-Lankamp
• Journal: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (Eur Spine J) Vol. 24 Suppl 2 Pg. 229-35 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1432-0932 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 24221920 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Cervical Vertebrae (diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Laminectomy
• Male
• Radiography
• Retrospective Studies
• Spinal Cord Compression (diagnosis, surgery)
• Spinal Cord Diseases (diagnosis, diagnostic imaging, surgery)
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome