The results of surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is th emost serious consequence of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration. The purpose of this study is to evaluate functional results of surgical treatment of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent anterior or posterior decompressive operations. METHODS: we prospectively analyzed 57 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy who were operated in Institut for Neurosurgery in Belgrade (1995-2002). The severity of myelopathy is graded by Nurick myelopathy grading system. The average foloow-up period was 20 months. RESULTS: Postoperative improvement schowed 75% of patients and 21% remained unchanged. Myelopathy worsening was observed in two patients, 4%. We didn't have serious operative complications. Selection of surgical approach was not significantly correlated with surgical outcome. CONCLUSION: surgical decompression of cervical medulla is safe treatment that gives good chances for functional recovery in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.