Long-term follow-up of clinical and radiological outcome after cervical laminectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate long-term clinical and radiological results of cervical laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion for degenerative spinal cord compression.


METHODS
A retrospective follow-up study of patients in which clinical data (n = 207), questionnaires (n = 96) and fluoroscopy (n = 77) were reviewed.


RESULTS
Postoperative perceived recovery was reported by 76 and 63 % of patients at 3 months and 9 years, respectively. Functional status remained unchanged. The incidence of kyphosis and segmental instability was 15 and 18 %, respectively, and occurred almost exclusively if preoperative lordosis was <20°. Neither kyphosis nor segmental instability correlated to perceived recovery and no predisposing variables were identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical laminectomy without adjuvant-instrumented fusion should be considered as a treatment for compressive degenerative cervical myelopathy in patients with a lordotic cervical spine without congenital deformities. Additional reconstructive correction of the cervical spine is only proven appropriate in selected cases.
Department of Neurosurgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands, svangeest@lumc.nl.
Sarita
S
van Geest
Anouk M J
AM
de Vormer
Mark P
MP
Arts
Wilco C
WC
Peul
Carmen L A
CL
Vleggeert-Lankamp
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome