[The strategy of posterior decompression and re-establishing the insertion of extensor for ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament involved in C(2)].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate an approach of posterior cervical spinal canal decompression and re-establishing the insertion of extensor, aim at the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involved in C(2).


METHODS
From 2002 to 2006, 10 patients with OPLL involved in C(2) underwent open-door laminoplasty, with the posterior cervical ligamentous complex and the insertion of extensor reconstructed on C(2), were reviewed retrospectively. The range of decompression was from C(2) to C(7). The sagittal diameter of C(2) vertebral canal, alignment of the cervical spine (C(2)-C(7) angle), and JOA score before and after operation were contrasted respectively.


RESULTS
All patients were followed up, average 14 months. Before the operation, the average sagittal diameter of C(2) vertebral canal was 5.6 mm (4 - 8.8 mm), JOA score was 9.6 scores (6 - 12 scores), C(2)-C(7) angle was 6.5 degrees (-2 degrees - 12 degrees ). After the operation, the average sagittal diameter of C(2) vertebral canal was 13.4 mm (10 - 18.2 mm, P < 0.01), JOA score was 10.9 scores (8 - 14 scores) and the C(2)-C(7) angle was 7.4 degrees (3 degrees - 14 degrees ) in earlier. Finally, the JOA score was 13.2 scores (10 - 17 scores, P < 0.05), and the C(2)-C(7) angle was 7.0 degrees (2 degrees - 15 degrees , P > 0.05) at last.


CONCLUSIONS
The open-door laminoplasty, with an approach of the posterior cervical ligamentous complex and the insertion of extensor reconstructed, is an appropriate method for treating OPLL involved in C(2). This process keeps the cervical curve in a better way, and decompresses the spinal canal effectively.
Wang
Wei
W
Department of Orthopaedics, the 252th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Baoding 071000, China. baoding252ww@yahoo.com.cn
Gao
Cheng-Jie
CJ
Ren
Long-Xi
LX
D000368:Aged; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000473:pathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017887:Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*