Journal of Spine

Unilateral Open-Door Laminoplasty: Impact of the Opening Side on Spinal Cord Space and Arm Pain Improvement

Abstract

Francisco Cini*

Unilateral open-door laminoplasty is a well-established surgical technique used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy, a condition caused by compression of the spinal cord due to degenerative changes in the cervical spine. CSM can result in a wide range of neurological symptoms, including arm pain, weakness, numbness, and gait disturbances. In cases where conservative treatments fail, surgical decompression via laminoplasty is considered to relieve spinal cord compression and improve patient outcomes. The "open-door" laminoplasty technique involves creating a hinge on one side of the lamina (the bony plate forming part of the spinal canal) and lifting or "opening" the lamina on the opposite side to create additional space for the spinal cord. The unilateral version of this technique, in which the door (the opening) is created on one side only, has gained popularity because it reduces operative complexity and the associated risks of bilateral decompression.