title: Spinous process-splitting laminoplasty with an extended foraminotomy for cervical myelopathy.
abstract: We present the surgical results of a laminoplasty with an extended foraminotomy for cervical myelopathy. We chose spinous process-splitting laminoplasty, because it gave us the opportunity to perform bilateral foraminotomies through the same exposure. An extended foraminotomy means that root decompression is performed as far laterally as possible, using the surgical microscope. We performed this method in 18 patients and experienced favorable clinical results. Neuroradiological evaluations revealed good decompression of the spinal cord postoperatively. Although the operation time needed was longer compared with the original method, the average blood loss was 430 ml and blood transfusion was necessary in five patients. This method can be considered when cervical myelopathy is treated by a posterior approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kohnan Hospital, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koshu
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshimoto
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome