Operative results of canal-expansive laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients

The study involved elderly patients (age > or = 65), who underwent treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy by canal-expansive laminoplasty.

To determine the factors that influence the operative results of canal-expansive laminoplasty for treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients.

Although there have been previous reports of many operative procedures, to the authors' knowledge there are no reports on the results of surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in elderly patients, treated by a unified surgical procedure. To date, no attempts have been made to predict the results of these procedures.

Forty-seven patients (age > or = 65) who underwent canal-expansive laminoplasty were reviewed in this study. The severity of the clinical picture and the quality of operative results were graded according to the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system.

Of the 13 patients whose period of disability persisted for less than 3 months before the operation, 12 were able to walk after surgery. The operative results of patients more than 80 years of age were not significantly different from those of patients aged between 65 and 79 years. Results of multiple regression analysis indicate that the predictive probability of the postoperative motor function score of the lower extremities was 70%.

The severity of the clinical picture and the duration of symptoms influenced the outcome of the operation. Despite the advanced age of some patients (> 80), the operation increased the chance of recovery from the disease.