[Significance of the anterior floating method for cervical myelopathy due to the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament].

Abstract

In order to determine the clinical effectiveness of anterior decompression(floating method) for treatment of cervical myelopathy caused by the ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL), 33 cases were followed over 5 years after treatment. The floating method utilized was a much simpler procedure than OPLL removal. The clinical results were as follows: excellent in 11 cases, good in 10, improved in 8, unchanged in 4. Three cases showed growth of the OPLL after surgery, but the symptoms in these cases did not deteriorate. Post-surgery the growth of the OPLL can be predicted by precise observation of the radiographs and the myelogram. The incidence of complication was 24 per cent post-surgery (8/33). These results indicate that the floating method appears to be a good treatment for cervical myelopathy from OPLL.