Bilateral open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty with hydroxyapatite spacers and titanium screws

• DOI: 10.3171/spi.2002.96.1.0022
• Publication Date: 2009-05-07T15:56:22Z
• Authors: Masakazu Takayasu; Teruhide Takagi; Toshihisa Nishizawa; Koji Osuka; Takehiko Nakajima; Jun Yoshida
• Keywords: Laminoplasty; Laminotomy; Expansive

The authors report a simple method for bilateral open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty in which hydroxyapatite (HA) spacers are secured by titanium screws. A biomechanical study was also conducted to confirm the strength of screw fixation.A unilateral posterior approach used allow preservation supporting elements (the tension band) until laminae were cut at base. laminotomy then performed standard fashion. Appropriate-sized HA selected, held with specially designed holder, and placed between split laminae. holes made along direction spacer, two screws inserted ventrolaterally laminae, resulting instantaneous fixation. This procedure 15 patients; clinical results successful, there no significant intraoperative complications. Follow-up radiological studies revealed evidence displacement or backout. artifacts observed on magnetic resonance imaging minimal, allowing evaluation spinal cord. sagittal alignment spine well preserved. In found that fixation satisfactory strength, compared other methods fixation.Bilateral is quick yields sufficient strength.