title: Square cervical laminoplasty incorporating spinous process: surgical technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have used a laminoplasty technique in multilevel cervical canal stenosis that incorporates spinous process in the neural arch and does not require free graft or foreign material.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this technique, laminae and spinous processes were used to enlarge stenotic cervical spinal canal. Three patients (mean age 34.6 years) formed the study group with a mean follow-up period of 24.6 months. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) and lateral radiographs were used to assess results in terms of bony union, canal diameter, and alignment of cervical spine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients noted some improvement in both sensory and motor functions. The average increase in sagittal diameter of cervical spinal canal was 4.2 mm, and decrease in range of motion (ROM) was 13.2 degrees. Bony fusions at the gutters were seen after 6 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This new technique of cervical laminoplasty is safe, effective, relatively easy, and avoids complications related to free grafts or metallic or nonmetallic foreign materials used in other techniques
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, King George's Medical College, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: Devendra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Vatsal
authors.forename: Mazhar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.forename: Jayant
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chawla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome