Factors associated with postoperative C5 palsy after expansive open-door laminoplasty: retrospective cohort study using multivariable analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors associated with C5 palsy by focusing on radiological parameters using multivariable analysis.

METHODS: The authors retrospectively assessed 190 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy treated by open-door laminoplasty. Four radiographic parameters-the number of expanded lamina, C3-C7 angle, lamina open angle and space anterior to the spinal cord-were evaluated to clarify the factors associated with C5 palsy.

RESULTS: Of the 190 patients, 11 developed C5 palsy, giving an overall incidence of 5.8%. Although the number of expanded lamina, lamina open angle and space anterior to the spinal cord were significantly larger in C5 palsy group than those in non-palsy group, a multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that only the space anterior to the spinal cord (odds ratio 2.60) was a significant independent factor associated with C5 palsy. A multiple linear regression analysis indicated that the lamina open angle was associated with the space anterior to the spinal cord and the analysis identified the following equation: space anterior to the spinal cord (mm) = 1.54 + 0.09 × lamina open angle (degree). A cut-off value of 53.5° for the lamina open angle predicted the development of C5 palsy with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 83.2%.

CONCLUSIONS: The larger postoperative space anterior to the spinal cord, which was associated with the lamina open angle, was positively correlated with the higher incidence of C5 palsy.