FLEXIBILITY AND ALIGNMENT OF THE CERVICAL-SPINE AFTER LAMINOPLASTY FOR SPONDYLOTIC MYELOPATHY - A RADIOGRAPHIC STUDY

The long term effects of laminoplasty on cervical movement and alignme nt were investigated by radiography and CT scans in a study of 56 pati ents with multisegmental myelopathy who had undergone a C3 to C7 open- door laminoplasty. Follow up averaged 5.8 years. Satisfactory neurolog ical improvement occurred in 73%, Cervical flexion decreased by 35% an d extension by 57%; the decrease of both movements was statistically s ignificant. Decreased vertebral slip, as well as slightly reduced lord osis, was seen after operation. Increase in measured canal size after operation and at follow up was 48% and 40%; 8% of the expanded canal s ize was lost at the last follow up. Expansive open-door laminoplasty l eads to a better neurological prognosis in this group of patients, whi le maintaining an increase in canal size and preserving spinal stabili ty.