Postoperatice Evaluation of Cervical Myelopathy due to Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament

Abstract

Postoperative clinical results were evaluated in 42 patients (33 males and 9 females) with O. P. L. L. in cervical spine. The mean follow-up period was 5 years and 5 months. The mean age of the patients at operation was 56 (36-73) years. Twenty-six (61.9%) patients were treated by the method of enlargement of spinal canal (reported by Hirabayashi and Miyazaki), 9 patients by extirpation of ossification area by anterior approach, and 7 patients by laminectomy. Thus, 34 (92.8%) of the 42 patients obtained good and excellent results. This clinical outcome correlated with trauma and severity of the preoperative symptoms.