A comparative study of two operative methods for thoracic spinal stenosis caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum

Abstract

Objective To compare the effects of two kinds of operations for thoracic spinal stenosis(TSS) with ossification of the ligamentum flavum(OLF). Methods Twenty-nine participants diagnosed with TSS underwent surgery in our hospital. According to the methods of operation, they were divided into two groups. In group A, the OLF and dural adhesion were removed. In group B, the OLF was thinned by the burr drill, the dura was preserved, and the OLF was floated. All the patients were followed up for 3, 6 and 12 months. The preoperative and postoperative the Japanese orthopaedic association(JOA)scores were recorded before and after operation. Results The average JOA score in group A was increased from 5.21±1.27 to 6.80±0.88 after 3 months and to 6.91± 0.80 after 6 months and to 6.82±0.91 after 12 months, and that in group B was increased from 5.31±1.38 to 7.25±1.34 after 3 months and to 7.29±1.30 after 6 months and to 7.22±1.37 after 12 months. There were significant difference in the average JOA score in the three paired results (P<0.05). All the patients had complete decompression. Conclusion Both of the two decompression methods are effective for OLF and dural adhesion. Morever, the method of OLF with spinal dural adhesion resection can cause some complications more easily such as cerebrospinal fluid leak. Key words: Thoracic; Stenosis; Ossification; Ligamentum flavum