Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Cervical laminectomy and instrumented lateral mass fusion: techniques, pearls and pitfalls

  • Review Article
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Cervical laminectomy is a reliable tool for posterior decompression in various cervical spine pathologies. Although there is increasing evidence of superior clinical, neurological and radiological outcomes when using anterior cervical decompression, laminectomy can be a valuable tool when combined with instrumented lateral mass fusion for carefully selected indications.

Methods

Literature review.

Results

This review article will provide decision-making guidance, technical advices and pitfalls. The technical advice for laminectomy and instrumented lateral mass fusion is illustrated. The authors review the literature on outcomes and complications and suggest indications for the safe and successful application of cervical laminectomy and lateral mass fusion.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abumi K, Shono Y, Ito M, Taneichi H, Kotani Y, Kaneda K (2000) Complications of pedicle screw fixation in reconstructive surgery of the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 25:962–969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Al Barbarawi MM, Audat ZA, Obeidat MM, Qudsieh TM, Dabbas WF, Obaidat MH, Malkawi AA (2011) Decompressive cervical laminectomy and lateral mass screw-rod arthrodesis. Surgical analysis and outcome. Scoliosis 6:10

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Albert TJ, Vacarro A (1998) Post-laminectomy kyphosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23:2738–2745

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Andaluz N, Zuccarello M, Kuntz C (2012) Long-term follow-up of cervical radiographic sagitttal spinal alignment after 1- and 2-level cervical corpectomy for the treatment of spondylosis of the subaxial cervical spine causing radiculomyelopathy or myelopathy: a retrospective study. J Neurosurg Spine 16:2–7

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Audat ZA, Barbarawi MM, Obeidat MM (2011) Posterior cervical decompressive laminectomy and lateral mass screw fixation. Neurosciences (Riyadh) 16:248–252

    Google Scholar 

  6. Aydogan M, Enercan M, Hamzaoglu A, Alanay A (2012) Reconstruction of the subaxial cervical spine using lateral mass and facet screw instrumentation. Spine 37:E335–E341

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Baba H, Imura S, Kawahara N, Nagata S, Tomita K (1995) Osteoplastic laminoplasty for cervical myeloradiculopathy secondary to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Int Orthop 19:40–45

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Baba H, Uchida K, Maezawa Y, Furusawa N, Azuchi M, Imura S (1996) Lordotic alignment and posterior migration of the spinal cord following en bloc open-door laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy: a magnetic resonance imaging study. J Neurol 243:626–632

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Babat MR, Caudhary K, Sharma A, Laheri V (2008) Surgical approach to cervical myelopathy on the basis if radiological patterns of compression: prospective analysis of 129 cases. Eur Spin J 17:1651–1663

    Google Scholar 

  10. Barrey C, Mertens P, Jund J, Cotton F, Perrin G (2005) Quantitative anatomic evaluation of cervical lateral mass fixation with a comparison of the Roy-Camille and the Magerl screw techniques. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 30:E140–147

    Google Scholar 

  11. Barrey C, Mertens P, Rumelhart C, Cotton F, Jund J, Perrin G (2004) Biomechanical evaluation of cervical lateral mass fixation: a comparison of the Roy-Camille and Magerl screw techniques. J Neurosurg 100:268–276

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Batzdorf U, Batzdorff A (1988) Analysis of cervical spine curvature in patients with cervical spondylosis. Neurosurgery 22:827–836

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Bishara SN (1971) The posterior operation in treatment of cervical spondylosis with myelopathy: a long-term follow-up study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 34:393–398

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Bogduk N, Mercer S (2000) Biomechanics of the cervical spine. I: normal kinematics. Clin Biomech 15:633–648

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Brain WR, Northfield D, Wilkinson M (1952) The neurological manifestations of cervical spondylosis. Brain 75:187–225

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Breig A, Turnbull I, Hassler O (1966) Effects of mechanical stresses on the spine cord in cervical spondylosis. A study on fresh cadaver material. Neurosurg 25:45–56

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cabraja M, Abbushi A, Koeppen D, Kroppenstedt S, Woiciechowsky C (2010) Comparison between anterior and posterior decompression with instrumentation for cervical a spondylotic myelopathy: sagittal alignment and clinical outcome. Neurosurg Focus 28:E15

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Cardoso MJ, Koski TR, Ganju A, Liu JC (2011) Approach-related complications after decompression for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Neurosurg Focus 30:E12

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Carol MP, Ducker TB (1988) Cervical spondylitic myelopathies: surgical treatment. J Spinal Disord 1:59–65

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Cattell HS, Clark GL Jr (1967) Cervical kyphosis and instability following multiple laminectomies in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am 49:713–720

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Chavanne A, Pettigrew DB, Holtz JR, Dollin N, Kuntz CT (2011) Spinal cord intramedullary pressure in cervical kyphotic deformity: a cadaveric study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 36:1619–1626

    Google Scholar 

  22. Crawford CH, Carreon LY, McGinnis MD, Campbell MJ, Glassmann SD (2009) Perioperative complications of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge versus iliac crest bone graft for posterior cervical arthrodesis. Spine 34:1390–1394

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Currier BL (2012) Neurological complications of cervical spine surgery: C5 palsy and intraoperative monitoring. Spine 37:E328–E334

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dai L, Ni B, Yuan W, Jia L (1998) Radiculopathy after laminectomy for cervical compression myelopathy. J Bone Joint Surg Br 80:846–849

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Deen HG, Birch BD, Wharen RE, Reimer R (2003) Lateral mass screw-rod fixation of the cervical spine: a prospective clinical series with 1-year follow-up. Spine J 3:489–495

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Ebersold MJ, Pare MC, Quast LM (1995) Surgical treatment for cervical spondylitic myelopathy. J Neurosurg 82:745–751

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Epstein BS, Epstein JA, Jones MD (1977) Cervical spinal stenosis. Radiol Clin North Am 15:215–226

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Epstein JA (1988) The surgical management of cervical spinal stenosis, spondylosis, and myeloradiculopathy by means of the posterior approach. Spine 13:864–869

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Epstein JA, Carras R, Epstein BS, Levine LS (1970) Myelopathy in cervical spondylosis with vertebral subluxation and hyperlordosis. J Neurosurg 32:421–426

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Epstein NE (2011) Efficacy of posterior cervical fusions utilizing an artificial bone graft expander, beta tricalcium phosphate. Surg Neurol Int 2:15

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Fehlings MG, Smith JS, Kopjar B, Arnold PM, Yoon ST, Vaccaro AR, Brodke DS, Janssen ME, Chapman JR, Sasso RC, Woodard EJ, Banco RJ, Massicotte EM, Dekutoski MB, Gokaslan ZL, Bono CM, Shaffrey CI (2012) Perioperative and delayed complications associated with the surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy based on 302 patients from the AOSpine North America Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Study. J Neurosurg Spine 16:425–432

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Ferch RD, Shad A, Cadoux-Hudson TA, Teddy PJ (2004) Anterior correction of cervical kyphotic deformity: effects on myelopathy, neck pain, and sagittal alignment. J Neurosurg Spine 100:S13–S19

    Google Scholar 

  33. Foley KT, DiAngelo DJ, Rampersaud YR, Vossel KA, Jansen TH (1999) The in vitro effects of instrumentation on multilevel cervical strut-graft mechanics. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 24:2366–2376

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Geck MJ, Eismont FJ (2002) Surgical options for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Orthop Clin North Am 33:329–348

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Glassman SD, Alegre G, Carreon L, Dimar JR, Johnson JR (2003) Perioperative complications of lumbar instrumentation and fusion in patients with diabetes mellitus. Spine J 3:496–501

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Gooding MR, Wilson CB, Hoff JT (1975) Experimental cervical myelopathy. Effects of ischemia and compression of the canine cervical spinal cord. J Neurosurg 43:9–17

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Graham JJ (1989) Complications of cervical spine surgery. A five-year report on a survey of the membership of the Cervical Spine Research Society by the Morbidity and Mortality Committee. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 14:1046–1050

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Gregorius FK, Estrin T, Crandall PH (1976) Cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and myelopathy. A long-term follow-up study. Arch Neurol 33:618–625

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Guigui P, Benoist M, Deburge A (1998) Spinal deformity and instability after multilevel cervical laminectomy for spondylotic myelopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23:440–447

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Hansen-Schwartz J, Kruse-Larsen C, Nielsen CJ (2003) Follow-up after cervical laminectomy, with special reference to instability and deformity. Br J Neurosurg 17:301–305

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Harrison DE, Harrison D (2007) Letter to the editor: “The association between cervical spine curvature and neck pain (D. Grob et al.)”. Eur Spine J 16:1739–1740

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Heller JG, Edwards CC II, Murakami H, Rodts GE (2001) Laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical myelopathy: an independent matched cohort analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 26:1330–1336

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Herkowitz HN (1988) A comparison of anterior cervical fusion, cervical laminectomy, and cervical laminoplasty for the surgical management of multiple level spondylotic radiculopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 13:774–780

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Highsmith JM, Dhall SS, Haid RW Jr, Rodts GE Jr, Mummaneni PV (2011) Treatment of cervical stenotic myelopathy: a cost and outcome comparison of laminoplasty versus laminectomy and lateral mass fusion. J Neurosurg Spine 14:619–625

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Hilibrand AS, Schwartz DM, Sethuraman V, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ (2004) Comparison of transcranial electric motor and somatosensory evoked potential monitoring during cervical spine surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am 86-A:1248–1253

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Hirabayashi K, Toyama Y, Chiba K (1999) Expansive laminoplasty for myelopathy in ossification of the longitudinal ligament. Clin Orthop Relat Res 359:35–48

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Hirau T, Okawa A, Arai Y, Takahashi M, Kawabata S, Kato T, Enomoto M, Tomitawa S, Sakai K, Torigoe I, Shinomiya K (2011) Middle-term results of a prospective comparative study of anterior decompression with fusion and posterior decompression with laminoplasty for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Spine 36:1940–1947

    Google Scholar 

  48. Hojo Y, Ito M, Abumi K, Kotani Y, Sudo H, Takahata M, Minami A (2010) A late neurological complication following posterior correction of severe kyphosis. Eur Spine J 20:890–898

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Hojo Y, Ito M, Abumi K, Kotani Y, Sudo H, Takahata M, Minami A (2011) A late neurological complication following posterior correction surgery of severe cervical kyphosis. Eur Spine J 20:890–898

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Holly LT, Matz PG, Anderson PA, Groff MW, Heary RF, Kaiser MG, Mummaneni PV, Ryken TC, Choudri TF, Vresilovic EJ, Resnick DK (2009) Clinical prognostic indicators of surgical outcome in cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Neurosurg spine 11:112–118

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Hosono N, Yonenobu K, Ono K (1996) Neck and shoulder pain after laminoplasty. A noticeable complication. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 21:1969–1973

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Houten JK, Cooper PR (2003) Laminectomy and posterior cervical plating for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament: effects on cervical alignment, spinal cord compression, and neurological outcome. Neurosurgery 52:1081–1087 discussion 1087–1088

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Ishida Y, Suzuki K, Ohmori K, Kikata Y, Hattori Y (1989) Critical analysis of extensive cervical laminectomy. Neurosurgery 24:215–222

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Jenkins DH (1973) Extensive cervical laminectomy. Long-term results. Br J Surg 60:852–854

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Johnston TL, Karaikovic EE, Lautenschlager EP, Marcu D (2006) Cervical pedicle screws vs. lateral mass screws: uniplanar fatigue analysis and residual pullout strengths. Spine J 6:667–672

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Jones EL, Heller JG, Silcox DH, Hutton WC (1997) Cervical pedicle screws versus lateral mass screws. Anatomic feasibility and biomechanical comparison. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 22:977–982

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Kalanithi PA, Arrigo R, Boakye M (2012) Morbid obesity increases cost and complication rates in spinal arthrodesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 37:982–988

    Google Scholar 

  58. Kaminsky SB, Clark CR, Traynelis VC (2004) Operative treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy. A comparison of laminectomy and laminoplasty at five year average follow-up. Iowa Orthop J 24:95–105

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Kaptain GJ, Simmons NE, Replogle RE, Pobereskin L (2000) Incidence and outcome of kyphotic deformity following laminectomy for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Neurosurg 93:199–204

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Kast E, Mohr K, Richter HP, Borm W (2006) Complications of transpedicular screw fixation in the cervical spine. Eur Spine J 15:327–334

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Kato Y, Iwasaki M, Fuji T, Yonenobu K, Ochi T (1998) Long-term follow-up results of laminectomy for cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. J Neurosurg 89:217–223

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  62. Katonis P, Papadakis SA, Galanakos S, Paskou D, Bano A, Sapkas G, Hadjipavlou AG (2011) Lateral mass screw complications: analysis of 1662 screws. J Spinal Disord Tech 24:415–420

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Kawaguchi Y, Kanamori M, Ishihara H, Ohmori K, Nakamura H, Kimura T (2003) Minimum 10-year followup after en bloc cervical laminoplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res 411:129–139

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Kawakami M (2009) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: laminoplasty versus laminectomy. Evidence-based spine surgery 19–32

  65. Khan SN, Braaksma B, An HS (2012) Cervical pedicle subtraction osteotomy for fixed flexion deformities. Orthopedics 35:484–489

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Kohno K, Kumon Y, Oka Y, Matsui S, Ohue S, Sakaki S (1997) Evaluation of prognostic factors following expansive laminoplasty for cervical spinal stenotic myelopathy. Surg Neurol 48:237–245

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Koller H, Meier O, Hitzl W (2007) Geometrical results following 4- and 5-level arthrodesis of the cervical spine. Eur Spin J 16:2055–2071

    Google Scholar 

  68. Koller H, Acosta F, Tauber M, Fox M, Martin H, Forstner R, Augat P, Penzkofer R, Pirich C, Kassmann H, Resch H, Hitzl W (2008) Cervical anterior transpedicular screw fixation (ATPS)—Part II. Accuracy of manual insertion and pull-out strength of ATPS. Eur Spine J 17:539–555

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Koller H, Schmidt R, Mayer M, Hitzl W, Zenner J, Midderhoff S, Graf N, Resch H, Wilke HJ (2010) The stabilizing potential of anterior, posterior and combined techniques for the reconstruction of a 2-level cervical corpectomy model: biomechanical study and first results of ATPS prototyping. Eur Spine J 19:2137–2148

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  70. Kristof RA, Kiefer T, Thudium M, Ringel F, Stoffel M, Kovacs A, Mueller CA (2009) Comparison of ventral corpectomy and plate-screw-instrumented fusion with dorsal laminectomy and rod-screw-instrumented fusion for treatment of at least two vertebral-level spondylotic cervical myelopathy. Eur Spine J 18:1951–1956

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  71. Kumaresan S, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA, Voo LM, Cusick JF, Larson SJ (1997) Finite element modeling of cervical laminectomy with graded facetectomy. J Spinal Disord 10:40–46

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  72. Kurz LT, Herkowitz HN (1992) Surgical management of myelopathy. Orthop Clin North Am 23:495–504

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  73. Lee KB, Song KJ, Song J-H, Choi B-R, Park H (2010) The efficacy of combined anterior-posterior fusion versus anterior fusion alone for degenerative cervical kyphotic deformity. In: CSRS-AP annual meeting, Kobe

  74. Lementowski PW, Lucas P, Taddonio RF (2010) Acute and chronic complications of intracortical iliac crest bone grafting versus the traditional corticocancellous technique for spinal fusion surgery. Orthopedics 16:240–247

    Google Scholar 

  75. Liu T, Xu W, Cheng T, Yang HL (2011) Anterior versus posterior surgery for multilevel cervical myelopathy, which one is better? A systematic review. Eur Spine J 20:224–235

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  76. Majid K, Gudipally M, Hussain M, Moldavsky M, Khalil S (2011) The biomechanical effect of transverse connectors use in a pre- and post-laminectomy model of the posterior cervical spine: an in vitro cadaveric study. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 36:E1694–E1701

    Google Scholar 

  77. Malhotra NR, Shaffrey CI (2010) Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring in spine surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 35:2167–2179

    Google Scholar 

  78. Martirosyan NL, Feuerstein JS, Theodore N, Cavalcanti DD, Spetzler RF, Preul MC (2011) Blood supply and vascular reactivity of the spinal cord under normal and pathological conditions. J Neurosurg Spine 15:238–251

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  79. Maruyama K, Matusyama Y, Yanase M, Sakai Y, Katayama Y, Imagama S, Ito Z, Wakao N, Yukawa Y, Ito K, Kamiya M, Kanemura T, Sato K, Ishiguo N (2009) The relationship between the type of destructive spondyloarthropathy and its 10 years ago cervical spine alignment. Eur Spin J 18:900–904

    Google Scholar 

  80. Matsunaga S, Sakou T, Nakanisi K (1999) Analysis of the cervical spine alignment following laminoplasty and laminectomy. Spinal Cord 37:20–24

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Matsuoka T, Yamaura I, Kurosa Y, Nakai O, Shindo S, Shinomiya K (2001) Long-term results of the anterior floating method for cervical myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 26:241–248

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Matz PG, Anderson PA, Holly LT, Groff MW, Heary RF, Kaiser MG, Mummaneni PV, Ryken TC, Choudhri TF, Vresilovic EJ, Resnick DK (2009) The natural history of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Neurosurg Spine 11:104–111

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  83. Merola AA, Castro BA, Alongi PR, Mathur S, Brkaric M, Vigna F, Riina JP, Gorup J, Haher TR (2002) Anatomic consideration for standard and modified techniques of cervical lateral mass screw placement. Spine J 2:430–435

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  84. Miyauchi A, Sumida T, Manabe H, Mikami Y, Kaneko M, Sumen Y, Ochi M (2012) Morphological features and clinical significance of epidural membrane in the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 37:E1182–1188

    Google Scholar 

  85. Miyazaki K, Kirita Y (1986) Extensive simultaneous multi-segment laminectomy for myelopathy due to the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical region. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 11:531–542

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Montesano PX, Jauch E, Jonsson H Jr (1992) Anatomic and biomechanical study of posterior cervical spine plate arthrodesis: an evaluation of two different techniques of screw placement. J Spinal Disord 5:301–305

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Morimoto T, Ohtsuka H, Sakaki T, Kawaguchi M (1998) Post-laminectomy cervical spinal cord compression demonstrated by dynamic magnetic resonance imaging. Case report. J Neurosurg 88:155–157

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  88. Morimoto T, Okuno S, Nakase H, Kawaguchi S, Sakaki T (1999) Cervical myelopathy due to dynamic compression by the laminectomy membrane: dynamic MR imaging study. J Spinal Disord 12:172–173

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Muffoletto AJ, Hadjipavlou AG, Jensen RE, Nauta HJ, Necessary JT, Norcross-Nechay K (2000) Techniques and pitfalls of cervical lateral mass plate fixation. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ) 29:897–903

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Mummaneni PV, Kaiser MG, Matz PG, Anderson PA, Groff MW, Heary RF, Holly LT, Ryken TC, Choudhri TF, Vresilovic EJ, Resnick DK (2009) Cervical surgical techniques for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. J Neurosurg Spine 11:130–141

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Myers MA, Hamilton SR, Bogosian AJ, Smith CH, Wagner TA (1997) Visual loss as a complication of spine surgery. A review of 37 cases. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 22:1325–1329

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Naderi S, Ozgen S, Pamir MN, Ozek MM, Erzen C (1998) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: surgical results and factors affecting prognosis. Neurosurgery 43:43–49 (discussion 49–50)

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  93. Nakano N, Nakano T, Nakano K (1988) Comparison of the results of laminectomy and open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 13:792–794

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  94. Nurboja B, Kachramanoglou C, Choi D (2012) Cervical laminectomy vs laminoplasty: is there a difference in outcome and postoperative pain? Neurosurgery 70:965–970 discussion 970

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Nurick S (1972) The natural history and the results of surgical treatment of the spinal cord disorder associated with cervical spondylosis. Brain 95:101–108

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  96. Ohnari H, Sasai K, Akagi S, Iida H, Takanori S, KAto I (2006) Investigation of axial symptoms after cervical laminoplasty, using questionnaire survey. Spine J 6:221–227

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Okada E, Matsumoto M, Ichihara D (2009) Does the sagittal alignment of the cervical spine have an impact on disc degeneration? Minimum 10-year follow-up of asymptomatic volunteers. Eur Spin J 18:1644–1651

    Google Scholar 

  98. Olsen MA, Nepple JJ, Riew KD, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Mayfield J, Fraser VJ (2008) Risk factors for surgical site infection following orthopaedic spinal operations. J Bone Joint Surg Am 90:62–69

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  99. Pateder DB, Carbone JJ (2006) Lateral mass screw fixation for cervical spine trauma: associated complications and efficacy in maintaining alignment. Spine J 6:40–43

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Radcliff KE, Limthongkul W, Kepler CK, Gursukham DSS, Anderson DG, Rihn JA, Hilibrand AS, Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ (2012) Cervical laminectomy with and spinal cord drift are risk factors for postoperative C5 palsy. J Spinal Disord [Epub ahead of print]

  101. Rao RD, Currier BL, Albert T, Bono CM, Marawar SV, Poelstra KA, Eck JC (2007) Degenerative cervical spondylosis: clinical syndromes, pathogenesis, and management. J Bone Joint Surg Am 89:1360–1378

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  102. Ratliff JK, Cooper PR (2003) Cervical laminoplasty: a critical review. J Neurosurg 98:230–238

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  103. Roche S, de Freitas DJ, Lenehan B, Street JT, McCabe JP (2006) Posterior cervical screw placement without image guidance: a safe and reliable practice. J Spinal Disord Tech 19:383–388

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  104. Rowland LP (1992) Surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy: time for a controlled trial. Neurology 42:5–13

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  105. Sasai K, Saito T, Akagi S, Kato I, Ogawa R (2000) Cervical curvature after laminoplasty for spondylotic myelopathy—involvement of yellow ligament, semispinalis cervicis muscle, and nuchal ligament. J Spinal Disord 13:26–30

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  106. Sasso RC, Ruggiero RA Jr, Reilly TM, Hall PV (2003) Early reconstruction failures after multilevel cervical corpectomy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 28:140–142

    Google Scholar 

  107. Scardino FB, Rocha LP, Barcelos ACES, Rotta JM, Botelho V (2010) Is there a benefit to operating on patients (bedridden or in wheelchairs) with advanced stage cervical spondylotic myelopathy? Eur Spine J 19:699–705

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  108. Schmidt R, Koller H, Wilke HJ, Brade J, Zenner J, Meier O, Ferraris L, Mayer M (2010) The impact of cervical pedicle screws for primary stability in multilevel posterior cervical stabilizations. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 35:E1167–E1171

    Google Scholar 

  109. Schmidt R, Wilke HJ, Claes L, Puhl W, Richter M (2005) Effect of constrained posterior screw and rod systems for primary stability: biomechanical in vitro comparison of various instrumentations in a single-level corpectomy model. Eur Spine J 14:372–380

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  110. Seichi A, Takeshita K, Ohishi I, Kawaguchi H, Akune T, Anamizu Y, Kitagawa T, Nakamura K (2001) Long-term results of double-door laminoplasty for cervical stenotic myelopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 26:479–487

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Sekhon LH (2006) Posterior cervical decompression and fusion for circumferential spondylotic cervical stenosis: review of 50 consecutive cases. J Clin Neurosci 13:23–30

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  112. Sekhon LH (2005) Posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation: analysis of 1026 consecutive screws in 143 patients. J Spinal Disord Tech 18:297–303

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  113. Seybold EA, Baker JA, Criscitiello AA, Ordway NR, Park CK, Connolly PJ (1999) Characteristics of unicortical and bicortical lateral mass screws in the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 24:2397–2403

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  114. Shamji MF, Cook C, Pietrobon R, Tackett S, Brown C, Isaacs RE (2009) Impact of surgical approach on complications and resource utilization of cervical spine fusion: a nationwide perspective to the surgical treatment of diffuse cervical spondylosis. Spine J 9:31–38

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  115. Shiozaki T, Otsuka H, Nakata Y, Yokoyama T, Takeuchi K, Ono A, Numasawa T, Wada K, Toh S (2009) Spinal cord shift on magnetic resonance imaging at 24 hours after cervical laminoplasty. Spine 34:274–279

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  116. Sim FH, Svien HJ, Bickel WH, Janes JM (1974) Swan-neck deformity following extensive cervical laminectomy. A review of twenty-one cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 56:564–580

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  117. Singh K, Vaccaro AR, Kim J, Lorenz EP, Lim TH, An HS (2003) Biomechanical comparison of cervical spine reconstructive techniques after a multilevel corpectomy of the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 28:2352–2358 (discussion 2358)

    Google Scholar 

  118. Smucker JD, Akhavan S, Furey C (2010) Understanding bony safety zones in the posterior iliac crest: an anatomic study from the Hamann-Todd collection. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 35:725–729

    Google Scholar 

  119. Sorensen LT (2012) Wound healing and infection in surgery: the pathophysiological impact of smoking, smoking cessation, and nicotine replacement therapy: a systematic review. Ann Surg 255:1069–1079

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  120. Steinmetz MP, Kager C, Vaccaro AR, Benzel EC (2005) Kyphotic cervical deformity correction. In: Benzel EC (ed) Spine surgery, vol 1, no 2, 2nd edn. Elsevier, Philadelphia, pp 788–795

  121. Steinmetz MP, Kager CD, Benzel EC (2002) Ventral correction of postsurgical cervical kyphosis. J Neurosurg(Spine 2) 97:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  122. Stemper BD, Marawar SV, Yoganandan N, Shender BS, Rao RD (2008) Quantitative anatomy of subaxial cervical lateral mass: an analysis of safe screw lengths for Roy-Camille and magerl techniques. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 33:893–897

    Google Scholar 

  123. Subramaniam V, Chamberlain RH, Theodore N, Baek S, Safavi-Abbasi S, Senoğlu M, Sonntag VK, Crawford NR (2009) Biomechanical effects of laminoplasty versus laminectomy: stenosis and stability. Spine 34:E573–E578

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  124. Suda K, Abumi K, Ito M (2003) Local kyphosis reduces surgical outcomes of expansive open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Spine 28:1258–1262

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  125. Takeshita K, Seichi A, Akune T, Kawamura N, Kawaguchi H, Nakamura K (2005) Can laminoplasty maintain the cervical alignment even when the C2 lamina is contained? Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 30:1294–1298

    Google Scholar 

  126. Tani T, Suhida T, Ishida K (2002) Relative safety of anterior microsurgical decompression versus laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy with a massive ossified posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine 27:2491–2498

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  127. Tani T, Ushida T, Ishida K, Iai H, Noguchi T, Yamamoto H (2002) Relative safety of anterior microsurgical decompression versus laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy with a massive ossified posterior longitudinal ligament. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 27:2491–2498

    Google Scholar 

  128. Teplick JG, Peyster RG, Teplick SK, Goodman LR, Haskin ME (1983) CT Identification of postlaminectomy pseudomeningocele. AJR Am J Roentgenol 140:1203–1206

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  129. Tomasino A, Parikh K, Koller H, Zink W, Tsiouris AJ, Steinberger J, Hartl R (2010) The vertebral artery and the cervical pedicle: morphometric analysis of a critical neighborhood. J Neurosurg Spine 13:52–60

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  130. Traynelis VC (2010) Total subaxial reconstruction. J Neurosurg Spine 13:424–434

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  131. Tsuzuki N, Abe R, Saiki K, Zhongshi L (1996) Extradural tethering effect as one mechanism of radiculopathy complicating posterior decompression of the cervical spinal cord. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 21:203–211

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  132. Uchida K, Nakajima H, Sato R (2009) Cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with kyphosis or sagittal sigmoid alignment: outcome after anterior or posterior compression. J Neurosurg Spine 11:521–528

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  133. Ulrich C, Arand M, Nothwang J (2001) Internal fixation on the lower cervical spine–biomechanics and clinical practice of procedures and implants. Eur Spine J 10:88–100

    PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  134. Voo LM, Kumaresan S, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA, Cusick JF (1997) Finite element analysis of cervical facetectomy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 22:964–969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  135. Wada E (2001) Subtotal corpectomy versus laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a long-term follow-up study over 10 years. Spine 26:1443–1447

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  136. Wang X, Chen D, Yuan W, Zhang Y, Zhao J (2012) Anterior surgery in selective patients with massive ossification of posteiror longitudinal ligament of cervical spine: technical note. Eur Spine J 21:314–321

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  137. Wellman BJ, Follett KA, Traynelis VC (1998) Complications of posterior articular mass plate fixation of the subaxial cervical spine in 43 consecutive patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23:193–200

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  138. Wen SF, Wong IO, Long MJ, Li JH, Li XF, Guo DM, Xu ZH, Yin QS (2012) Effectiveness of 3 surgical decompression strategies for treatment of multilevel cervical myelopathy in 3 spinal centers in china. Spine 37:1463–1469

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  139. Wiggins GC, Shaffrey CI (2007) Dorsal surgery for myelopathy and myeloradiculopathy. Neurosurgery 60:S71–S81

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  140. Winestone JS, Farley CW, Curt BA, Chavanne A, Dollin N, Pettigrew DB, Kuntz CT (2012) Laminectomy, durotomy, and piotomy effects on spinal cord intramedullary pressure in severe cervical and thoracic kyphotic deformity: a cadaveric study. J Neurosurg Spine 16:195–200

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  141. Wing KJ, Fisher CG, O’Connell JX, Wing PC (2000) Stopping nicotine exposure before surgery. The effect on spinal fusion in a rabbit model. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 25:30–34

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  142. Wollowick AL, Kelly MP, Riew KD (2012) Pedicle subtraction osteotomy in the cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 37:E342–348

    Google Scholar 

  143. Wu WJ, Jiang LS, Liang Y, Dai LY (2011) Cage subsidience does not, but cervical lordosis improvement does affect the long-term results of anterior cervical fusion with stand alone cage for degenerative cervical disc disease: a retrospective study. Eur spine J 21:1374–1382

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  144. Xu R, Bydon M, Sciubba DM, Witham TF, Wolinsky JP, Gokaslan ZL, Bydon A (2011) Safety and efficacy of rhBMP2 in posterior cervical spinal fusion for subaxial degenerative spine disease: Analysis of outcomes in 204 patients. Surg Neurol Int 2:109

    PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  145. Xu R, Haman SP, Ebraheim NA, Yeasting RA (1999) The anatomic relation of lateral mass screws to the spinal nerves. A comparison of the Magerl, Anderson, and An techniques. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 24:2057–2061

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  146. Yasuoka S, Peterson HA, Laws ER Jr, MacCarty CS (1981) Pathogenesis and prophylaxis of postlaminectomy deformity of the spine after multiple level laminectomy: difference between children and adults. Neurosurgery 9:145–152

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  147. Yonenobu K, Hosono N, Iwasaki M, Asano M, Ono K (1991) Neurologic complications of surgery for cervical compression myelopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 16:1277–1282

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  148. Zdeblick TA, Zou D, Warden KE, McCabe R, Kunz D, Vanderby R (1992) Cervical stability after foraminotomy. A biomechanical in vitro analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 74:22–27

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Conflict of interest

None.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. German Scoliosis Center. Werner-Wicker-Clinic Bad Wildungen, Im Kreuzfeld 4, 34537, Bad Wildungen, Germany

    Michael Mayer, Oliver Meier & Heiko Koller

  2. Department for Traumatology and Sports Injuries, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Muellner Hauptstr. 48, 5020, Salzburg, Austria

    Alexander Auffarth

Authors
  1. Michael Mayer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Oliver Meier
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alexander Auffarth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Heiko Koller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Mayer.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mayer, M., Meier, O., Auffarth, A. et al. Cervical laminectomy and instrumented lateral mass fusion: techniques, pearls and pitfalls. Eur Spine J 24 (Suppl 2), 168–185 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2838-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2838-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation