Posterior migration of cervical spinal cord between split laminae as a complication of laminoplasty.

Abstract

This is a case report. To focus attention on a possible neurologic complication of laminoplasty. An iatrogenic spinal cord lesion developed after laminoplasty as an operative complication of unknown cause. Two patients had iatrogenic damage to the spinal cord from an unknown cause after laminoplasty of the cervical spine, but recovered soon after an additional laminectomy. They were evaluated with regard to the mechanism of damage and prevention. The spinal cord damage occurred when the spinal cord migrated posteriorly and deformed between the split laminae at the apex of the lordosis, where the maximum posterior displacement of the spinal cord was achieved. This damage was caused by a relatively narrower canal resulting from the split laminae of the apex of the adjacent laminae.