Clinical evaluation of French window laminoplasty for twenty-seven patients with myelopathy due to OPLL in cervical spine was analysed. The average age at surgery was 56 years old and average follow-up period 4.5 years.
Neurological recovery was evaluated by The Japanese Orthopedic Association score. The preoperative score ranged from 5 to 15 points, the mean being 9.8. The postoperative score ranged from 1 to 17 points, the mean being 13.1. The average recovery rate was 55.2%. The duration of myelopathy and age at the operation were the factors for affecting the results of operation.
Roentogenologically, three of 27 patients showed postoperative mild kyphotic deformity. Mobility of the cervical spine was reduced considerably. However, these roentgenologic changes did not affect the results. French window laminoplasty is a useful procedure for the treatment of the myelopathy due to OPLL in cervical spine.
