Why Does C5 Palsy Occur After Prophylactic Bilateral C4-5 Foraminotomy in Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty? A Risk Factor Analysis.

TitleWhy Does C5 Palsy Occur After Prophylactic Bilateral C4-5 Foraminotomy in Open-Door Cervical Laminoplasty? A Risk Factor Analysis.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsLiu G, Reyes MRamona, K Riew D
JournalGlobal Spine J
Volume7
Issue7
Pagination696-702
Date Published2017 Oct
ISSN2192-5682
Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy in preventing occurrence of postoperative C5 palsy and to identify possible risk factors for its development.

METHODS: A total of 70 consecutive patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty with bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy were included. Clinical, radiographic, and operative data was reviewed. Development of postoperative C5 palsy was analyzed.

RESULTS: A total of 54 males and 16 females were reviewed. Mean age was 56 years (range, 30-86 years). The primary pathology was spondylosis in 76% of cases and ossified posterior longitudinal ligament in 21%. Radiographic evidence of C4-5 foraminal stenosis was seen in 81% of the patients. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was 7 ± 19 months. Four (5.7%) out of 70 patients developed C5 palsy after open-door laminoplasty with bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy. Multivariate analysis showed that a long duration of preoperative symptoms (>12 months) and the presence of preoperative C4-5 T2-MRI cord signal change were statistically significant risk factors for the development of C5 palsy even after bilateral C4-5 foraminotomy in open-door laminoplasty ( < .0001 and = .036, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic bilateral C4-5 foraminotomies do not completely eliminate the occurrence of C5 palsy. Prolonged duration of symptoms and presence of preoperative T2-MRI cord signal change increase the risk for developing postoperative C5 palsy despite foraminotomy.

DOI10.1177/2192568217699191
Alternate JournalGlobal Spine J
PubMed ID28989850
PubMed Central IDPMC5624369