ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Operation is an important measure to improve the function of spinal cord and to stop the pathological progress of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. There are controversies how to select the optimum operation mode, to reduce postoperative complications and to elevate clinical curative effects. OBJECTIVE:To systematical y review patients’ profiles of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy, and to evaluate the effects of simple anterior approach, simple posterior approach and one stage posterior anterior combined approach on cervical spinal curvature index and functional recovery in patients. METHOD148 sample profiles of patients, who received multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy operation in The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and Qingdao Municipal Hospital from February 2000 to February 2008, and met the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were selected. They were divided into simple anterior approach group, simple posterior approach group and one stage posterior anterior combined approach group. The differences in the functional recovery were assessed after treatment using different therapeutic methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cervical spinal curvature index was highest in the simple posterior approach group before treatment (P0.05). Significant differences in improvement rate of Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores were detectable after treatment between the one stage posterior anterior combined approach group and simple anterior approach and simple posterior approach groups (P<0.001). Significant differences in cervical dysfunction index and SF-36 scores were detectable among the three groups before and after treatment (P<0.05). Results indicated that compared with the simple anterior approach and simple posterior approach, decompression through one stage posterior anterior combined approach is a reliable and effective operative procedure for treatment of multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.