Biomechanical Study of the Effect of the Laminectomy on Anterior Compression of the Cervical Spinal Cord / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To observe the decompressive effect of laminectomy on the spinal cord compressed anteriorly in the cervical spine. Methods: The compression of the cervical spinal cord-meningeal complex was simulated using a small transducer pushed into the spinal canal in 7 whole cadaver spines. The depth of canal occlusion was controlled depending on 20%, 30% and 40% of the saggital diameter of the canal. The distribution and the change of the stress on the spinal cord-meningeal complex and the displacement of dural sac were recorded before and after laminectomy. Results: When the anterior transducer was pushed into the spinal canal with 40% occlusion, the force was 3.86 kPa on the anterior wall and 0.38 kPa on the posterior wall of the spinal cord-meningeal complex respectively. After extensive laminectomy, the anterior compressive force decreased 6.06% - 14.38% and the displacement of the posterior dura wall was 0.44 mm. Conclusions: The anterior compressive force was mainly absorbed by the anterior part of the spinal cord-meningeal complex. Extensive laminectomy had no significant decompressive effect on the spinal cord compressed anteriorly inthecervical spine.