Alternating levels versus all levels mini-plate fixation in open door cervical laminoplasty for treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy

To investigate clinical and radiological results of alternating levels compared with all levels mini-plate fixation in open door cervical laminoplasty for treatment of degenerative cervical myelopathy. From January 2011 to April 2014, 64 patients sustained degenerative cervical myelopathy, who underwent cervical laminoplasty with alternating levels (31 patients in group A) or all levels plate fixation (33 patients in group B) were included in this retrospectively study. Clinical and radiological results were calculated. The mean cost for group B was higher than group A(P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found in the mean operation time, blood loss, axial symptoms, C5 palsy, improvement in japanese orthopedic association scores and neck disability index scores between group A and B. Open angle in mini-plate fixed levels was significantly more than that in suture fixed levels(P < 0.05). No statistical difference was found in drift back of spinal cord, anterio-posterior diameter, Pavlov's ratio, cervical curvature index and cervical range of motion between mini-plate fixed levels and suture fixed levels. Open door laminoplasty at alternating levels mini-plate fixation is an economical surgical method and can obtain similar satisfactory clinical and radiological results compared to all levels mini-plate fixation.