Results of cervical laminoplasty and a comparison between single and double trap-door techniques

Thirty-seven patients were studied for an average of 32.1 months after cana l-expansive laminoplasty for the treatment of multiple-level cervical steno sis caused by spondylosis, ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, prolapsed intervertebral disc, and other conditions. Short-term and medium -term results were recorded clinically, using the scoring system proposed b y the Japanese Orthopedic Association. The canal expansion was also recorde d with radiological studies. The improvement rate was good to excellent in 58.3% of the patients. Postoperative neurological deterioration occurred in only four patients. Poorer results were observed in female patients and in those in whom surgery was delayed. Surgery within 12 months of onset of sy mptoms gave good results. Serious complications occurred in only two patien ts. There were 12 patients who were treated with the single trap-door (unil ateral) laminoplasty and 25 patients treated with the double trap-door (sag ittal splitting of the spinous processes) laminoplasty; their results were compared. There was no significant difference in neurological outcome betwe en the two methods.