A comparison study of anterior cervical decompression for CSM between under microscope and traditional methods

Abstract

Objective To comparison anterior cervical decompression and plating techniques for CSM between under microscope and traditional method retrospectively, investigate clinical result of surgery under microscope. Methods Sixty-seven patients with CSM underwent surgery of anterior cervical decompression and plating techniques were evaluated retrospectively from January 2008 to June 2010. Thirty-three patients underwent operation under microscope; thirty-four patients underwent traditional operation. The operating time, bleeding volume during operating and poster operating, walking time post-operation and complication were observed. Clinical outcomes were assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Image of before and after operation. Results Microsurgery operation time averaged of 100 minutes. Bleeding volume during the operation averaged of 60 ml, and after operation averaged of 40 ml. The JOA scores were improved from 8.43 pre-operatively to 14.70. Six months post operation, the average rage of JOA improvement were 83.2%. Traditional operation time averaged of 115 minutes. Bleeding volume during operation averaged of 100 ml, and after operation averaged of 50 ml. The JOA scores were improved from 7.45 pre-operatively to 11.84. Six months post operation, the average rage of JOA improvement were 82.1%. There were difference between two groups(P ＞ 0.05) in the JOA scores. No statistical difference (P ＜ 0.05) in bleeding volume and operating time. Conclusion The operation under microscope is restored significantly than the traditional method in bleeding volume, the surgical field, safety of operation, time of recovery and so on. Key words: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy; Discectomy; Microsurgery; Decompression