[The study of the C5 nerve root palsy after surgery of cervical spondylosis].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of the C5 palsy after surgery of cervical spondylosis.


METHODS
Two hundred and twenty-three cases treated from March 1994 to October 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
Seven of the 223 cases developed the complication of C5 palsy, manifesting the paresis of the deltoid muscle as well as the sensory deficits and (or) intractable pain in shoulder. The incidence was 3.1%. In this study, 2 cases occurred in the anterior subcorpectomy, 5 cases developed in the laminoplasty with 1 case on the opened side, 3 cases on the hinged side and 1 case on both sides. All the 7 cases with the C5 palsy recovered within 2 weeks to 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
The C5 palsy can develop either anterior decompression or posterior open-door laminoplasty of cervical spondylosis. Generally speaking, patients with postoperative C5 palsy can be cured by conservative measures. And prognosis is good.
He
Gao
G
Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
Zhang
Jian-xiang
JX
Shen
Cai-liang
CL
Yang
Qing-guo
QG
Jiang
Shu
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery*