One-stage posterior surgery with intraoperative ultrasound assistance for thoracic myelopathy with simultaneous ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ligamentum flavum at the same segment: a minimum 5-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background context: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) and ligamentum flavum (OLF) are not uncommon independent causes of thoracic myelopathy (TM); however, concomitant OPLL and OLF at the same segment is rare. The ideal surgical strategy remains controversial, and it is difficult for surgeons to balance sufficient neural decompression while simultaneously reducing the occurrence of postoperative neurological defect after circumferential decompression (CD). Aiming to solve this dilemma, we investigated a CD-based surgery using intraoperative ultrasound (IOU) assistance to evaluate spinal decompression sufficiency.

Purpose: The aims of this study are to evaluate the surgical outcomes and identify prognostic factors of one-stage posterior surgery with IOU assistance in patients with concomitant OPLL and OLF.

Study design/setting: Retrospective study of a single-center TM database with long-term follow-up.

Patient sample: Twenty-four patients with TM and concomitant OPLL and OLF.

Outcome measures: Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score system for TM, recovery rate (RR), complication rate.

Methods: Twenty-four patients' data were retrospectively reviewed. All patients initially underwent en bloc excisions of posterior spinal canal elements, and IOU was then used to evaluate spinal decompression sufficiency. If any compression of OPLL was confirmed in IOU, further CD procedure was performed. The JOA score was used to evaluate health-related quality of life. RR was calculated using the Hirabayashi formula. A RR ≥50% was considered favorable, and a RR <50% was considered unfavorable. The paired t test was performed to statistically compare the preoperative and postoperative JOA scores. The chi-squared test, rank sum test, and logistic regression analyses were performed to find variants associated with unfavorable surgical outcomes The prognostic factors were analyzed by Spearman correlation and Pearson correlation analyses.

Results: The invasive CD procedure were avoided in 9 of 28 segments were avoided, with a mean blood loss of 1,458 mL. Seventeen patients experienced cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and 5 experienced immediate postoperative paralysis. The mean JOA score improved from 4.25±2.2 (preoperative) to 8.16±1.9 (final follow-up). The mean RR was 57.7%±29.4%. There was a significant difference (p<.01) between the preoperative and final follow-up JOA score. A comparison between the favorable and the unfavorable groups showed no significant differences in the evaluated factors, but the considerable blood loss was a significant risk factor for poor RR (p=.036, b=-0.43).

Conclusions: One-stage CD-based surgery via a posterior approach with IOU assistance for the treatment of concomitant OPLL and OLF led to significant functional improvement in the majority of patients. Under the premise of sufficient decompression, the postoperative paralysis rate reduced compared to that in previous studies. However, there were still high cerebral spinal fluid leakage rates. Considerable blood loss is a risk factor for poor RR.

Keywords: Circumferential decompression; Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis; Intraoperative ultrasound; Ossification of ligamentum flavum; Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament; Thoracic myelopathy.