Efficacy and safety of the resection of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty

Abstract

：Objective To investigatethe efficacy and safety of the resection of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL)in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. Methods Thirty-one patients underwent Bryan cervicaldisc implantation only in one level from August 2006 to January 2009 were investigated inthis study. Cervical PLL was preserved in 14 patients, but not in other 17 patients. Theclinical (JOA score,VAS score for neck and arm pain) and radiographic parameters (the FSUangle, ROM and diameter of the spinal cord) were compared between the two groups. ResultsNo differences were found in terms of age, affected segment, gender, follow-up period,operation time and blood loss between the two groups. Patients underwent removal ofcervical PLL were significantly superior to those underwent reservation of cervical PLL interm of clinical outcomes. There were no differences between the two groups with regard tothe increase of FSU angle and ROM. However, the diameter of the spinal cord had asignificant increase in patients underwent removal of cervical PLL. No severe complicationwas found in the two groups. Conclusion Removal of the cervical PLL is beneficial for theclinical outcomes and does not have an impact on the angle and ROM of the affectedsegment. The procedure is safe and feasible.