Anterior decompression and fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

The result after anterior decompression and fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy was retrospectively studied in 49 patients. There were 33 men and 16 women, their ages ranged from 27 to 82 years (average 53.7 years). The most common level of involvement was C5-6, followed by C3-4. Walking difficulty of various degrees in combination of numbness and weakness of upper limbs were the most common presenting symptoms. The duration of pre-operative symptoms ranged from 1 month to 10 years (average 6 months). The functional results at final follow-up were evaluated using the author's grading criterias. Mean follow-up time was 5.3 years (range 1-10 years). Forty-six patients were neurologically improved at various degrees, three cases were unchanged, none had neurological deterioration. There was no time limit of neural recovery as to the duration of disease prior to surgery. The potential cord recovery might be partly affected by age, duration of the symptoms, and pre-operative functional grade.