Abstract
Objective: Laminoplasty has become a common alternative to laminectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy. The procedures have been compared before, but data on functional recovery are limited. We aim to compare the safety and short-term clinical and functional outcomes of cervical laminoplasty and cervical laminectomy.Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the outcome of 72 patients who had laminoplasty and 49 patients who had laminectomy at our hospital from 1999 to 2005. Patients had cervical spondylotic myelopathy or radiculopathy. All of the patients were similar in age and pre-operative functional status. All patients were assessed pre-operatively and 4 months post-operatively with the Rankin disability score, Glasgow outcome scale and Karnofsky and Nurick scales.Results: Laminoplasty resulted in greater improvement than laminectomy on the Rankin scale (p<0·0001, chi-square test), GOS (p<0·0027, chi-square test) and Karnofsky scores (p<0·01, Wilcoxon test). Nurick scores improved in both groups without a significant difference (p<0·62, Wilcoxon test). The proportion of patients who improved on all scales tended to be greater in the laminoplasty group. Patients spent 1·8 fewer days in the hospital after laminoplasty (p=0·04, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). There was no mortality or permanent morbidity for either procedure.Conclusion: Both cervical laminectomy and laminoplasty are safe and effective for the treatment of cervical myelopathy or radiculopathy. Cervical laminoplasty results in a shorter hospital stay and greater functional improvement at 4 months follow-up.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.