Functional outcome of posterior laminectomy in case of cervical myelopathy with multilevel cervical cord compression

Abstract

Objective: The primary objective is to study the functional outcome of cervical laminectomy with or without instrumentation for cervical myelopathy in case of multilevel cervical cord compression using modified JOA and NURICK score.Introduction: Cervical myelopathy is a neurological pathology associated with a degenerative disease of the cervical spine resulting from a spinal cord compression. Cervical myelopathy presents with clinical implications in the upper and/or lower limbs caused by compression of the spinal cord. Loss of coordination, weakness and tactile sensitivity are some of the most common symptoms. Several procedures are available for the operative management of multi-level cervical spondylosis myelopathy or radiculopathy. Laminectomy has proven to be successful, but several inherent risks have been recognized. Postoperative instability and deformity, in particular kyphosis, is a well-documented problem.Methodology: A prospective and retrospective cohort of 30 patients with cervical myelopathy with multilevel cord compression treated with posterior laminectomy between January 2016 to December 2017 were analysed for minimum of 1 year and final result were analysed with modified JOA and NURICK score.Results: Cervical laminectomy as posterior approach alone or with posterior stabilisation with fusion can be chosen in patients of cervical myelopathy with multilevel cervical cord compression to achieve adequate decompression with comparable functional outcome as ACDF or ACCF.