Efficacy and safety of the resection of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of the resection of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) in Bryan cervical disc arthroplasty. Methods Thirty-one patients underwent Bryan cervical disc implantation only in one level from August 2006 to January 2009 were investigated in this study. Cervical PLL was preserved in 14 patients, but not in other 17 patients. The clinical (JOA score,VAS score for neck and arm pain) and radiographic parameters (the FSU angle, ROM and diameter of the spinal cord) were compared between the two groups. Results No differences were found in terms of age, affected segment, gender, follow-up period, operation time and blood loss between the two groups. Patients underwent removal of cervical PLL were significantly superior to those underwent reservation of cervical PLL in term of clinical outcomes. There were no differences between the two groups with regard to the increase of FSU angle and ROM. However, the diameter of the spinal cord had a significant increase in patients underwent removal of cervical PLL. No severe complication was found in the two groups. Conclusion Removal of the cervical PLL is beneficial for the clinical outcomes and does not have an impact on the angle and ROM of the affected segment. The procedure is safe and feasible.