title: Surgical management of cervical spondylotic myelopathy - indications for anterior, posterior or combined procedures for decompression and stabilisation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The authors describe their experience with the choice of anterior, posterior and combined approaches for the surgical treatment of spondylotic myelopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Description of surgical anatomy, surgical technique, indications, limitations, complications, specific perioperative considerations and specific information to give to the patient about surgery and potential risks and a summary of 10 key points is given.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If the disease extends behind the posterior vertebral body and if reestablishing spinal sagittal and coronal balance is an aim, then the anterior approach is the best choice. In cases of predominant posterior spinal cord compression and lordotic configuration the posterior approach should be preferred. Decompression of three or more levels, especially in combination with poor bone quality, requires a combined approach.
authors.affiliation: Neurochirurgische Klinik, Klinikum Karlsruhe, Moltkestr. 90, 76133, Karlsruhe, Germany, koenig_de@web.de.
authors.forename: Stefan Alexander
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: König
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Spetzger
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome