ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the clinical efficacy of open-door cervical laminoplasty combined Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction (MBHD) to treat cervical spinal canal stenosis (CSCS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 32 CSCS patients were randomly assigned to two groups, Group A (17 cases, treated by laminoplasty) and Group B (15 cases, treated by laminoplasty combined MBHD). All patients received open-door cervical laminoplasty. Those in Group B took MBHD additionally for 2 weeks after surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS), the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, and the neck disability index (NDI) were measured preoperative, postoperative 3 months and 12 months, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no statistical difference in preoperative VAS, JOA, or NDI (P > 0.05). The VAS, JOA, and NDI were obviously improved 3 months and 12 months after surgery in the two groups, showing statistical difference when compared with before surgery in the same group (P < 0.01). At 3 months after surgery the aforesaid indices in Group B were superior to those in Group A (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the aforesaid indices between the two groups at 12 months after surgery (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MBHD favorably improved early recovery of neural functions of CSCS patients (3 months after surgery).</p>