Abstract
Object : To study long-term outcomes of anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) and expansive laminoplasty (ELP).
Materials and Methods : Our study included 120 patients who underwent iliac bone grafting via the modified trans-unco-discal approach (TUD) or ELP with spinous process or ceramic spacers over 5 years ; the neurological symptoms and Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) scores of these patients were reviewed.
Results : Neurological symptoms and JOA scores improved in 111 out of the 120 patients (93%), and worsened in 9 patients (8%). There was no significant difference in the rate of improvement of neurological symptoms, and JOA scores in all groups. There was no significant difference in the improvement rates of neurological symptoms and JOA scores between all groups.
Conclusions : ADF and ELP showed comparable rates of improvement in neurological symptoms and JOA scores. It is important to choose the appropriate methods according to the pathophysiological conditions. ADF should be performed only for the appropriate lesions, since the problems pertinent to the adjacent lesions may ensue.
