Post-operative long-term results of thoracic myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (thoracic OPLL) were studied. There were nineteen cases consisting of 3 males and 16 females. Their ages ranged from 41 to 74 years old (average; 52 years old) at the time of operation. The follow-up periods were more than 6 months and up to 11 years (average; 4 years and 2 months).
The overall results were not satisfactory comparing with those of cervical OPLL; that is, excellent and good results were obtained in 53% of the cases at the time of discharge, and in 47% at the time of follow-up study.
Based on our follow-up results we propose that the choice of operative procedure of thoracic OPLL is following; that is, anterior approach must be selected at first in principle, and laminectomy may be selected if OPLL exists more extensively. Further, if there is some mobility of the spine in the area of laminectomy, posterior fusion may be necessary using bone grafts or instruments.
