Cervical Stenosis Surgery: Laminoplasty vs. Fusion

Source:
www.spreaker.c...
Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon to professional athletes, compares laminoplasty to fusion and laminectomy for cervical stenosis in neck surgery.

[@prestoncoddington521]

Great info, and very well stated. I could listen to you talk all day.

[@pedzis]

That was a very good explanation

[@LearnAtMyExpense]

I have severe compression at C3/4, along with disc herniation at C5/6 and C6/7. Been to 5 different surgeons and all have WILDLY different recommendation, though all agree that the compression at C3/4 warrants surgery very soon. Most reputable (specializes in cervical spine only, in NYC) is recommending both front and back: C5-7 ACDF, then posterior: C3 laminectomy, C4/5 laminoplasty, C5-7 hardware to support and guarantee fusion. I don't see any reference to this type of approach on the internet. What are your thoughts? (I'm a 50 year old male, in excellent physical shape. Had radiculopathy for a couple of months but it went away, so no pain, but numbness in right arm/fingers remains)

[@anthonymisell8845]

I had the C-3 to C-7 fusion done in 2012 at 62, through the neck and I am having pain again in the arms and hands coming from spurs and protruding discs, at C-2 and C-7 and T-1, and do not want to operated on through the neck again, with the pain from swallowing took forever to heal, no I wouldn't want to go through that again?

[@kelliparra2483]

How many levels can be done with laminoplasty

[@robwatkins714]

Typically C3-C6

[@impeccablebeats0448]

thank you for this very informative talk. If dome laminotomy is not enough to decompress C6-7, and a full C7 laminoplasty is needed, how do you prevent kyphosis as the C2-C7 dorsal muscular attachment is cut. Should laminoplasty be abandoned in this case? Doing a fusion at C7T1 and laminoplasty at C7 and above doesnt seem to solve the kyphosis issue at C7 and above as the muscle between C2 and C7 is still cut. Please advise.

[@backdoctor311]

Agree - I do C3-6 - I will do partial laminectomy of cephalad third of C7, preserving ligaments to C7. If C7-T1 requires decompression than fusion probably better option