ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The combination of anterior and posterior approaches for severe cervical intervertebral disk herniation, posterior longitudinal ligament calcification and ligament flava hyperplasia can completely reduce compression. Simultaneously, cage implantation and anterior plate fixation partial y recover vertebral interspace and physiological curvature of cervical vertebra. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effects of cervical posterior single-door laminoplasty for cervical spondylosis and anterior cage-assisted fusion on curvature, stability and axial symptoms after treatment. METHODS:Clinical data of 50 patients, who received surgical treatment for cervical spondylosis, were retrospectively analyzed. 22 cases underwent I-stage spinal decompression by the combination of anterior and posterior approaches (anterior fusion cage+steel plate fixation) (combination group). 28 cases underwent cervical posterior single-door laminoplasty (posterior windowing rivet fixation) (posterior approach group). They were fol owed up for 6 to 24 months. The recovery of neurological function, incidence of axial symptoms, cervical curvature index, and slipping degree of affected intervertebral segments were analyzed statistical y. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The neurological functions were greatly improved according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association in both groups. Incidence of axial symptoms was relatively low in the combination group. Cervical curvature index was obviously improved in the combination group compared with the posterior approach group. The slipping degree of affected intervertebral segments was relatively greater in the posterior approach group than that in the combination group. Results suggested that fusion cage, anterior steel plate and posterior rivet for spinal decompression in I-stage combination of anterior and posterior approaches can effectively maintain cervical physiological curvature and the balance of sagittal level, reduce incidence of axial symptoms, and play a key effect on keeping posttreatment long-period cervical stability.