OBJECTIVETo investigate the application of the expanding forming under the plate through cervical spatium intermusculare approach to treat multi-segmental myelopathic cervical spondylosis.

METHODSFrom July 2005 to June 2013, 25 patients with multi-segmental myelopathic cervical spondylosis were treated by the expanding forming under the plate through cervical spatium intermusculare approach including 16 males and 9 females with an average age of 56.5 years old ranging from 35 to 78 years old. Among them, 10 cases were onset without causes slowly, 7 cases were onset without causes suddenly, 8 cases were onset after mild trauma or tired. JOA scoring, incidence of postoperative axial symptoms and imaging studies were used to evaluate the effect.

RESULTSTwenty-five cases were followed up for 6 months to 7 years and 6 months with an average of 2 years and 9 months. There were no infection, cerebrospinal fluid leakage after the operation, and complications such as nerve damage were occurred. The operation time was 120 to 150 min, the bleeding was 300 to 500 ml. Imaging examination showed vertebral canal sagittal diameter increased, the vertebral canal increased significantly in the cross sectional area of the spinal cord, cervical curvature was straighten in 4 cases (2 cases of them became normal sequence). There were no more cases of cervical protruding and segmental instability increased. Postoperative walking ability enhanced, the finger activity of majority of patients improved on flexibility, grip strength, and accuracy of using chopsticks improved, numbness and chest waist band feeling had different degree of reduce, preoperative urine impairment were improved to varying degrees. Preoperative JOA scores were 3 to 13 points with an average of (8.86 ± 4.25) points; Postoperative 12 months' JOA scores were 7 to 17 points with an average of (13.76 ± 3.56) points, period was 60.19% in average, JOA score had statistically difference between before and after operation (P < 0.05). The result were excellent in 14 cases, good in 6 cases, and fair in 4 cases and poor in 1 case.

CONCLUSIONApplication of the expanding forming under the plate through cervical spatium intermusculare approach to treat multi-segmental myelopathic cervical spondylosis, through muscular clearance, can retain complete cervical back muscle, maintain stability of cervical spine, and vertebral canal can get effective decompression at the same time.