Minimum 10-year followup after en bloc cervical laminoplasty

The long-term outcome (> 10 years) after cervical laminoplasty was assessed and the postoperative problems were clarified. One hundred thirty-three patients had laminoplasty between 1981 and 1989 for treatment of cervical myelopathy and 126 patients were available for the current study. The clinical results were evaluated using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score. The radiologic findings were analyzed by postural anomalies and range of motion. The average preoperative score was 9.1 points, and the postoperative score improved to 13.7 points within a year. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association score and recovery rate were maintained at 13.4 points and 55.1% at the last followup. In 20 patients, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score worsened during the followup. The causes of deterioration were axial spread of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament, other spinal lesions, cerebral infarction, and peripheral neuropathy. Postoperative cervical radiculopathy occurred in nine patients. Postoperative radiculopathy resolved in five patients, but remained in four patients. Kyphotic changes were observed in eight patients. The recovery rate in patients with kyphosis was poor. The postoperative range of motion decreased to 25.1% of preoperative range of motion. Sixty one percent of patients had a reduction of range of motion. Satisfactory results of cervical laminoplasty were maintained for more than 10 years after surgery; however, there were several postoperative problems, such as neurologic deterioration, postoperative radiculopathy, progression of kyphosis, and range of motion limitation.