C2 Dome-Like Expansive Laminoplasty Versus C2 Open-Door Laminoplasty for Treating Multilevel Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Involving C2

BACKGROUND: There are controversies over the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) involving C2. OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of C2 dome-like expansive laminoplasty (C2DL) and C2 open-door laminoplasty (C2OL) for treating cervical OPLL involving C2. METHODS: The data of 36 patients undergoing C2OL and 40 patients treated with C2DL because of cervical OPLL involving C2 were retrospectively analyzed. The functional outcomes of the Japanese Orthopedic Association score, Neck Disability Index, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score, and visual analog scale score for neck pain were compared between the 2 groups. The C2-C7 Cobb angle, cervical range of motion (ROM), and space available for the spinal cord at C2 were measured. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, the Japanese Orthopedic Association score, Neck Disability Index, and 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score significantly improved in both groups (all P < .05), but with no significant intergroup differences (all P > .05). The visual analog scale score for neck pain reduced significantly in both groups ( P < .05), but the patients in the C2OL group experienced more severe neck axial pain ( P < .05). The C2-C7 Cobb angle and cervical ROM reduced greatly in both groups ( P < .05), but those in the C2OL group decreased more ( P < .05). The spinal cord at C2 significantly improved in both groups ( P < .05), with no significant intergroup differences ( P > .05). CONCLUSION: C2DL was superior to C2OL in maintaining the cervical alignment and ROM and reducing neck axial pain for treating OPLL involving C2.