OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application of Centerpiece titanium plate fixation in open door laminoplasty.

METHODSFrom January 2009 to December 2010,25 patients with cervical spinal stenosis were treated by open door laminoplasty with Centerpiece titanium plate fixation. There were 16 males and 9 females,with a mean age of (57.2 +/- 6.7) years (ranged, 44 to75 years). There were multilevel cervical myelopathy in 8 cases, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification in 12 cases and congenital cervical spinal stenosis in 5 cases. According to Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score to evaluate nerve function and calculate improvement rate. X-ray and CT were used to evaluate postoperative spinal canal enlargement and bone fusion at the hinge side. The sagittal diameter of C5 spinal canal on the lateral X-ray was measured before operation and 6 months after operation respectively, and the expansion rate of spinal canal was calculated [(postoperative sagittal diameter-preoperative sagittal diameter)/(preoperative sagittal diameter) x 100%].

RESULTSThe operative time and intraoperative blood loss were respectively (165.5 +/- 35.6) min and (325.0 +/- 75.1) ml. All patients were followed up from 6 to 18 months with an average of (7.3 +/- 3.8) months. The JOA score increased from 9.3 +/- 1.1 before operation to 14.7 +/- 2.1 at 6 months after operation (t = 4.12, P < 0.05), and the improvement rate was (64.5 +/- 10.2)%. Radiographic data showed spinal canal enlarged perfectly, bone fusion at hinge side and no cervical spinal stenosis was found. The sagittal diameter of C5 spinal canal improved from (9.0 +/- 1.5) mm before operation to (14.3 +/- 2.0) mm at 6 months after operation (t = 7.61, P < 0.05), and the expansion rate was (67.6 +/- 11.8)%.

CONCLUSIONClinical application of Centerpiece titanium plate fixation in open door laminoplasty is safe and effective. While vertebral plate is elevated to obtain instantly stability, at the same time, the integrity of spinal canal is also recovered.