Surgery to correct the cervicothoracic kyphotic deformity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be associated with serious neurovascular risks. According to the literature, there are no clinical reports documenting the use of vertebral column decancellation (VCD) in the treatment of cervicothoracic kyphotic deformity in patients with AS. The purpose of the present study was to retrospectively analyze and evaluate the effect of VCD on cervicothoracic kyphotic deformity in patients with AS.