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The use of the T-saw for expansive midline laminoplasty in the treatment of cervical myelopathy

  • Orthopedics And Traumatology
  • Published:
Orthopedics and Traumatology

Abstract

Objective

Enlargement of the cervical spinal canal in patients with spinal cord compression.

Indications

Multisegmental spinal cord compression of the cervical spine.

Contraindications

Ossification of the ligamentum flavum or epidural scar preventing the sublaminal passage of the T-saw.

Surgical Technique

Posterior midline incision. Exposure of spinous processes and posterior laminae. Sublaminal passage of T-saw. Splitting of the spinous processes. Confection of bilateral grooves in the laminae. Spreading of divided spinous processes and insertion of a spacer.

Results

Between 1991 and 1998, a midline T-saw laminoplasty was performed in 88 patients (30 women and 58 men, average age 61.3 years). Average duration of surgery 121 min, average blood loss 132 ml. Remarkable postoperative neurologic recovery, no deterioration of deficits. No major complications were encountered.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Japan

    Takuya Fujita

  2. 13-1 Takaramachi, Kanazawa, Japan

    Katsuro Tomita

Authors
  1. Katsuro Tomita
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  2. Hideki Murakami
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  3. Norio Kawahara
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  4. Takuya Fujita
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Katsuro Tomita.

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Tomita, K., Murakami, H., Kawahara, N. et al. The use of the T-saw for expansive midline laminoplasty in the treatment of cervical myelopathy. Orthop Traumatol 10, 169–178 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00065-002-1046-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00065-002-1046-8

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