Laminoplasty for patients with compressive myelopathy due to so-called spinal canal stenosis in cervical and thoracic regions.

The author reports detail of a simplified technique named laminoplasty, as an alternative to laminectomy that allows osteoplastic enlargement of the spinal canal in the cervical and thoracic spines. The postoperative spinal deformities from laminectomy can be prevented by employing this method since it promotes stable clinical results. The indications, technique, and results of the procedure are discussed in ten cases. The laminoplasty is recommended for compressive myelopathy due to narrowed spinal canal, especially in the cervical region. Clinical neurologic improvement tends to parallel the spinal canal enlargement achieved.