Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion vs posterior laminoplasty for the treatment of myelopathy due to two-level localized ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study to compare the clinical and radiological results of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and posterior laminoplasty for two-level localized ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).ACDF and posterior laminoplasty are performed for localized OPLL at the disc and vertebral body levels, respectively.Eighty six patients with two-level localized OPLL who underwent surgery from January 2011 to December 2016 were retrospectively investigated (41, ACDF group; 45, laminoplasty group). Clinical outcomes were reviewed, and radiologic results such as occupying ratio (OR), space available in the spinal cord, cranial and caudal OPLL-to-disc distance (ODD)/posterior body height (PBH) ratios, segmental angle, C2-C7 Cobb angle, T1 slope, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and range of motion were investigated.Patients were followed-up for an average of 42.7 ± 10.5 months. Clinical outcomes, postoperative OR, and space available in the spinal cord were significantly improved at the final follow-up in both groups. Preoperatively, the OR and cranial and caudal ODD/PBH ratios were not significantly different between the groups. Compared to pre-operative values, differences in the segmental and C2-C7 Cobb angles at the final follow-up were statistically significant for the ACDF group (P < .05). The mean operative time, bleeding volume, and the duration of hospitalization were significantly lower in the ACDF group than in the laminoplasty group (P < .05). Complications occurred in 1 ACDF case and in 5 laminoplasty cases.Both ACDF and laminoplasty provided satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes for two-level localized OPLL. However, ACDF was associated with a lower operation time, bleeding loss, duration of hospitalization, and complications.