Postoperative neck symptoms of posterior approach for cervical compressive myelopathy: Expansive open-door laminoplasty vs. segmental partial laminectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laminoplasty is widely accepted as a standard treatment of cervical compressive myelopathy. However, due to the risk of postoperative complications such as neck symptoms, segmental partial laminectomy (SPL) is performed instead, which results in fewer postoperative symptoms. The aim of this study was to describe the difference in the incidence and severity of postoperative neck symptoms between traditional C3-C7 expansive open-door laminoplasty (ELAP) and SPL.

METHODS: A retrospective and comparative study was performed regarding neck complications following the two surgical procedures. Twenty patients underwent SPL, and an additional 20 age- and gender-matched patients underwent traditional C3-C7 ELAP. Preoperative and postoperative JOA scores were measured, and postoperative neck symptoms in both groups were evaluated using a self-administered questionnaire, according to the Neck Pain and Disability Scale.

RESULTS: The total incidence of postoperative neck symptoms in the SPL group was similar to that in the ELAP group; however, the severity of symptoms was remarkably lower in the SPL group than in the ELAP group.

CONCLUSIONS: SPL seems to be a better procedure for reducing postoperative neck symptoms, when compared with C3-C7 ELAP.