Omni-laminectomy and transpedicular screw-rod fixation for treatment of multilevel cervical spinal stenosis

Objective To evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of posterior omni-laminectomy,spinal canal decompression,bone grafting fusion and transpedicular screw-rod fixation for the treatment of cervical spinal canal stenosis.Methods From February 2002 to December 2008,35 patients(20 males and 15 females,with a mean age of 62.5 years) with cervical spinal stenosis were treated by posterior omni-laminectomy,spinal canal decompression,bone grafting fusion and transpedicular screw-rod fixation.In all patients,10 cases were degenerative spinal stenosis,12 cases were developmental spinal stenosis and 13 cases were ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament combined with spinal stenosis.Segments of each patient were no less than 3.Preoperative Japanese Orthopaedics Association(JOA) scores were 6.7±1.2.Results The average time of operation was 135 min.All patients were followed up for 3-36 months(mean 12 months) and no complication occurred during the follow-up.JOA scores of 1 week after operation were 8.2±1.5,compared with pre-operation the difference was statistically significant(P0.05);JOA scores of 6 months after operation were 12.8±1.8,compared with 1 week postoperative the difference was statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusion Treatment of cervical spinal canal stenosis by posterior omni-laminectomy,spinal canal decompression,bone grafting fusion and transpedicular screw-rod fixation is an effective method,which can get thorough decompression and good cervical spinal stability.But the application of transpedicular screw-rod internal fixation technique in cervical vertebae demands a well-knit knowledge in cervical spinal anatomy and affluent experiences in cervical spinal transpedicular screw-nod insertion.