Comparison of the results of laminectomy and open-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myeloradiculopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

Laminectomy was performed on 14 patients with cervical radiculomyelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Since 1978, simple open-door laminoplasties have been performed on 75 patients. A retrospective study was done to determine if there was any difference between the results of laminectomy and laminoplasty. Overall results of laminectomy were as follows: The preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was 7.0 points and the postoperative score was 15.0 points. Overall results of laminoplasty were as follows: the preoperative JOA score was 7.0 points and the postoperative score was 15.0 points. The percentage improvement in laminectomy was 81.1%, and in laminoplasty was 81.4%. There was no significant difference in the results of these two procedures for the treatment of patients with cervical radiculomyelopathy and OPLL.