A long-term follow-up study of cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by "French window" laminoplasty

We investigated 30 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (22 males and 8 females) treated by "French window" laminoplasties from 19 79 to 1988. Patients averaged 62.6 years of age, and were followed an avera ge of 5 years and 2 months. The average preoperative and postoperative Japa nese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores were assessed, rising from the or iginal 8.8 +/- 3.3 to 11.9 +/- 3.3 (p < 0.001). Patients were divided into two groups, demonstrating poor alignment and no malalignment after surgery. There was no statistical difference regarding improvement in the neurologi cal examinations between these two groups. The "French window" laminoplasty achieved good clinical results in the management of cervical spondylotic m yelopathy irrespective of whether or not alignment deteriorated in the post operative period.