Follow-up after cervical laminectomy, with special reference to instability and deformity.
Misalignment and instability after cervical laminectomy, performed to treat spondylotic myelopathy, has been described as possible adverse effects. Forty-six consecutively patients on whom laminectomy had been performed in a 4-year period were identified; 7.7 +/- 0.6 years after operation, 11 patients had died and 27 patients were available for follow-up. Postoperative static subluxation was observed in 26% of the patients with an average slip of 3.7 +/- 3.1 mm; 7% had abnormal intervertebral movement displaying 1-2 mm movement from full flexion to full extension. Seventy-four per cent of the patients showed abnormal spinal curvature as judged from radiographs. However, no correlation with outcome was observed. Seventy-four per cent of the patients thought of the result of the operation as either good or fair; objectively, the best long-term effect of the operation was upon arm function. Although some patients develop postural anomaly, laminectomy remains, in terms of instability, a justifiable procedure in the elderly patient with spondylosis.
Hansen-Schwartz
J
J
Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Glostrup Hospital, DK-2600, Glostrup, Denmark.
Kruse-Larsen
C
C
Nielsen
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011859:Radiography; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome