[Surgical technique and long-term follow-up of laminoplasty using titanium miniplates]

Problems concerning a spinal deformity due to simple laminectomy and the usefulness of laminoplasty are often reported recently. In our hospital, laminoplasty with titanium miniplates for spinal operations has been used in all cases since 1992. We started to use this method after we encountered several cases of post-operative spinal deformity following multiple-level laminectomy. We reviewed two different subgroups of patients. Group A consisted of 38 cases who were operated on using simple laminectomy. Group B consisted of 32 cases who were operated on using laminoplasty with titanium miniplates. Postoperative spinal deformity occurred in 5 patients of Group A (13%), and in none of Group B (0%). In particular, postoperative spinal deformity occurred in one child case of Group A (33%), and in none of Group B (0%). Laminoplasty is a very simple and efficient technique, and advantages are the presentation of stability of the posterior column and curvature of the laminae, as well as protection of the spinal cord. Compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is another advantage of titanium miniplates, because long follow-up using MRI is always necessary in these cases. In conclusion, laminoplasty with titanium miniplates for spinal operations are a very useful and safe technique.