Multilevel cervical spondylosis. Laminoplasty versus anterior decompression.

Abstract

Poor overall outcome and a high incidence of postoperative kyphosis and progressive myelopathy have driven surgeons away from decompressive laminectomy as a treatment for multilevel cervical spondylosis. Dr. Henry Bohlman advocates anterior decompression and fusion as the best approach to the pathophysiology of this disorder, while Dr. Kiyoshi Hirabayashi believes that laminoplasty represents an excellent strategy for patients with degenerative disease, as well as those with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.