title: [Anterior cervical intervertebral space decompression under microscope for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinical effects of anterior cervical intervertebral space decompression under microscope in treating cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From June 2009 to March 2012, 43 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated with anterior cervical intervertebral space decompression and intervertebral fusion under microscope. There were 26 males and 17 females, aged from 60 to 72 years old with an average of (64.9±3.7) years. Japanese Orthopaedic Association System (JOA) score was from 7 to 12 points with an average of (9.5±1.8) points before operation. The function of nerves was assessed before and after operation according to JOA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up from 10 to 18 months with an average of (14.7±1.6) months. Postoperative JOA score was (13.81±1.44) points (ranged, 10 to 16), had significantly higher than preoperative (P<0.01). According to the rate of the improved JOA score, 9 cases got excellent results, 26 good, 7 fair, 1 poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior cervical intervertebral space decompression under microscope for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients is safe and effective.
authors.forename: Hong-hang
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ji-kang
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Yong-jian
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xu-chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D055009:Spondylosis / Q000601:surgery*