[Surgical treatment for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine].

The surgical results in 37 patients with cervical myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament of the cervical spine were described. This series consisted of 32 patients who underwent anterior decompression with anterior cervical fusion using bone grafts obtained from cervical vertebral bodies, and 5 patients who underwent expansive laminoplasty or laminectomy as a method of posterior decompression. 6 out of 32 patients with anterior cervical fusion were operated on at one level, 18 at two levels and 8 at three levels. The patients were out of bed within two days and treated using a soft collar for 3 months. In all patients, the symptoms improved postoperatively. Postoperative X-ray films showed solid bone fusion in all patients with anterior cervical fusion at a mean follow up time of one year and nine months (range 6 months to 3 years 6 months). Anterior angulation was found in one (3%) out of 32 patients who underwent anterior cervical fusion. Concerning the method of operation, the authors think that anterior decompression is to be recommended for cases with ossification within three consecutive vertebrae and posterior decompression should be applied to cases in which anterior decompression is very difficult. If necessary, a two-stage combined decompression is recommended.