Seventy-five patients with severe OPLL in the cervical spine participated in the study. Twenty-two patients underwent the anterior corpectomy and fusion, while the others underwent the posterior approach. Of those undergoing the posterior approach, 28 patients underwent a laminectomy and instrumented fusion, while 25 patients underwent laminoplasty.
The postoperative cervical lordosis after the anterior corpectomy or laminectomy and instrumented fusion was significantly larger than after the laminoplasty. The rate of neurologic function based on the Japanese Orthopedic Association score was significantly higher after anterior corpectomy than after laminoplasty.
The main complication after the anterior decompression was cerebrospinal fluid leakage while the main complication of the posterior approach was a high incidence of C5 palsy and axial pain.
Read the abstract for “Surgical Strategy for Multilevel Severe Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament in the Cervical Spine.”
Read other coverage on spine studies:
– Study Examines Medicolegal Suits Associated With Cervical Spine Surgery
– Study: Nonfusion Method for Treating Spinal Fractures Effective for Young Patients
– Study: Spine Surgeons Often Fail to Identify Psychological Distress in Patients
