Comparison of ultrasonic bone curette and high-speed drill in posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty

XUE Xukai; LI Gaofei; JIANG Jianming

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1674-666X.2016.02.002

Abstract：Objective To evaluate and compare the safety and reliability of posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty using ultrasonic bone curette versus high-speed drill. Methods From October 2014 to December 2015, thirty-two patients with cervical spinal stenosis underwent posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty by either using ultrasonic bone curette (n = 11) or high-speed drill (n = 21) in Nanfang Hospital affiliated to Southern Medical University, their data were collected and analyzed retrospectively. The segments, operation time, intraoperative estimate blood loss, postoperative drainage, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, rate of the improved JOA score and incidence of complications were compared between ultrasonic bone curette and high-speed drill groups. Results The operation time and intraoperative estimate blood loss was (150 ± 22) min, (191 ± 116) mL in ultrasonic bone curette group, and (169 ± 35) min, (216 ± 123) mL in high-speed drill group respectively, both showing no significant differences between two groups (P >0.05). Postoperative drainage of ultrasonic bone curette group was better than that of high-speed drill group [(164 ± 84) vs (236 ± 93 ) mL, P <0.05]. The postoperative neurological function of both groups were well improved compared to preoperative ones (P <0.05), but there were no statistical differences of postoperative JOA scores, JOA scoring improvement rate as well as excellent and good rate of JOA scoring improvement between two groups (P >0.05). One patient had dural tear in ultrasonic bone curette group, no patients suffered from leakage of cerebrospinal fluid or wound infection in two groups. Conclusion When compared to high-speed drill, usage of ultrasonic bone curette could obtain similar safety and effectiveness during posterior cervical single open-door laminoplasty, which is relatively more efficient with less postoperative drainage.