SPINAL DEFORMITY FOLLOWING SURGERY FOR SPINAL-CORD TUMORS AND TUMOROUS LESIONS - ANALYSIS BASED ON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SPINAL FUNCTIONAL CURVE

The mechanism of spinal deformity after surgical removal of a cervical spinal cord tumor or tumorous lesions was studied in 36 patients, bas ed on the spinal functional curve prepared from the intersectional ang le. The postoperative spinal deformity depends on the surgical level a nd the type of operation. In the laminectomy group, kyphosis of the up per cervical spine and compensatory increased lordosis of the lower ce rvical spine were observed in the C2 laminectomy patients. Localized k yphosis of the spine at the cervicothoracic junction and compensatory increased lordosis of the upper cervical vertebrae were noted in the C 7 laminectomy patients. In the laminoplasty group, spinal deformities were less frequently observed, and when present the deformity was limi ted to a slight increase of lordosis, even in patients who had the fac etectomy. These facts demonstrate the preventive effect of the laminop lasty regarding postoperative spinal deformity. Laminoplasty with reco nstruction of the erector spinal muscles and the nuchal ligament is re commended for patients with a spinal cord tumor or a tumorous lesion. The spinal functional curve was significant in studying the biomechani cs of the vertebral column with the advantage that both alignment and mobility of the spine are simultaneously, respectively and precisely v isualized.