Posterior extensive simultaneous multisegment decompression with posterolateral fusion for cervical myelopathy with cervical instability and kyphotic and/or S-shaped deformities.

From June 1978 to May 1988, posterior decompression with posterolateral fusion was performed at Tenri Hospital on 63 cases of cervical myelopathy with instability and/or malalignment including kyphotic and/or S-shaped deformities. Among 46 cases followed up for more than 1 year, 41 cases (89.1%) improved; 21 cases (45.7%) were rated excellent, six (13%), good; 14 (30.4%), fair; one (2.2%), unchanged; and four (8.7%), poor. On x-ray examination, bone consolidation at the bone implanted area was satisfactory in 30 cases (65.2%). Cervical instability disappeared at 55 cervical interspaces of 40 cases (78.6%). Displacement at unstable interspace disappeared or improved at 49 of 61 cervical interspaces (80.3%). Although cervical kyphosis or S-shaped deformity could not be improved, accelerated progression of these deformities appeared to be prevented.