New Laminoplasty Technique for Preserving Paravertebral Muscles: Technical Note

To develop a new laminoplasty technique for preserving paravertebral muscles.

In this technique, semispinalis and splenius muscles are cut approximately 1 cm laterally to the muscle insertion point to the spinous process at the laminotomy side. Then, multifidus and rotatory muscles are dissected subperiosteally and retracted laterally. The posterior part of the spinous process is cut horizontally below the insertion point of the semispinalis and splenius muscles. At this point, all the contralateral paravertebral muscles with the cut head of the spinous process are dissected subperiosteally and retracted laterally in the same manner as the laminotomy side. After the open-door laminoplasty for reconstruction of the anatomical formation, we fixed the head of the spinous process on the opening side laminae close to the inferior part of the spinous process with a titanium wire.

This technique is unique in that it reconstructs the spine similar to its normal anatomical form by preserving the posterior paravertebral muscles' attachments to the bones and tension ligaments.

This technique can reduce the risk of axial pain and kyphotic deformity, and prevent the reduction of ROM.