We report the development of a new laminoplasty for the thoracic and l
umbar spine. In this method, after two or three laminae are subjected
to en bloc laminectomy using a surgical air drill, median longitudinal
incisions are made in the laminae from the ventral side with a micros
urgical saw and then the resected laminae are put back in place, like
pitching a tent. Because fixation is accomplished with silk thread, ma
gnetic resonance imaging is unaffected. In 39 cases in which this meth
od was used, the spinal canal was adequately enlarged and bony union w
as also satisfactory starting after a mean of 4.3 months. This method
is useful as a form of anatomical repair after laminectomy. Because it
preserves the posterior element, it helps to prevent shrinkage of the
laminectomy membrane mass and postoperative spinal column deformity.