title: The effect of expansive open-door laminoplasty on spinal canal diameter: an experimental study on rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effect of expansive open-door laminoplasty with simple suture fixation on spinal canal diameter in a rabbit model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty white New Zealand rabbits were operated on with C4-C7 Hirabayashi open-door laminoplasty. The spinal canal diameter was evaluated radiologically on preoperative day 1 and postoperative days 1 and 42.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean spinal canal diameter was 6.42 mm preoperatively, 8.04 mm on postoperative day 1 and 8.02 mm at day 42. There was a significant difference between the mean preoperative and postoperative day 1 spinal canal diameter (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the mean spinal canal diameter at postoperative day 1 and 42 (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that the open-door laminoplasty with simple suture fixation is an effective method to expand the spinal canal diameter. No recurrent narrowing is expected in short term.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Acıbadem Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Massoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fateh
authors.forename: Baransel
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saygi
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bezer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011817:Rabbits; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques