[Anterior approach micro-decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Report of 74 cases]

From Oct. 1986 to Dec. 1990, 74 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy were treated by anterior micro-decompression. According to the Guidetti's classification of spine cord dysfunction, minor paralysis was detected in 18 patients, moderate in 49, and severe in 7. Thirty-five patients with monointervertebral space compression were operated on at the involved space only, and 39 patients with poly-level masses, two or three intervertebral spaces were operated. The results of the patients after microsurgery were good in 55 patients (74.3%), improved in 16 (21.6%), unchanged in 3 (4.1%). None worsened after operation. The total effective rate was 95.9%. We emphasize that the bony compressive mass should be resolved completely and the same time spine cord involvement must be avoided.