A new de-tension-guided surgical strategy for multilevel ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in thoracic spine: a prospective observational study with at least 3-year follow-up

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in thoracic spine (mT-OPLL) is a rare but clinically significant spinal condition. Various surgical methods have been developed to address this disease. However, the outcomes are commonly unfavorable, and no standard surgical strategy has been established. To solve this problem, we introduced a new surgical strategy based on an innovative decompression concept, namely de-tension. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of this new treatment, and to establish an improved surgical strategy. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study with at least 3 years of follow-up. PATIENT SAMPLE: Fifty-one patients with consecutive mT-OPLL who were treated between August-2012 and June-2018 were enrolled in this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: A modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (mJOA) scale assessing thoracic spine, recovery rate (RR), and surgical complications. METHODS: All patients underwent 1-stage thoracic posterior laminectomy, selective OPLL resection, and spinal column shortening with/without reduction of kyphosis (dekyphosis). Initially, we recommended that when thoracic kyphosis of T1-T12 in sagittal reconstruction CT (TK) was less than 20 degrees, no dekyphosis should be performed; when this angle was greater than 20 degrees, dekyphosis could be conducted. Patients' demographic data, radiological findings, and intra/postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. Neurological status was evaluated with mJOA score and RR. The correlation of preoperative TK or kyphosis angle in fusion area (FSK) with postoperative dekyphosis angle and spinal column shortening distance (SD) were respectively evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. RESULTS: Cerebrospinal fluid leakage (58.8%) and neurological deterioration (15.7%) were the most common complications. Average mJOA score was improved from preoperative 4.0 +/- 2.1 to 8.9 +/- 2.4 at the last follow-up, and the mean RR was 71.3 +/- 33.7%. There was no correlation between preoperative TK and SD (p=.56) or between preoperative FSK and SD (p=.21), but dekyphosis angle was significantly correlated with TK (r=0.504, p<.01) and FSK (r=0.5734, p<.01). TK of 24.6 degrees and FSK of 23.0 degrees were determined as the critical angles for dekyphosis, and a modified surgical strategy was formulated. CONCLUSIONS: This new strategy provided a novel solution for mT-OPLL, and was proved to be safe and effective during long-term follow-up. Further rigorously designed large-scale prospective studies are needed to validate our findings. (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Automated summary

This study introduces a new surgical strategy based on an innovative decompression concept for the treatment of multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in thoracic spine. The results show that this new strategy is safe and effective during long-term follow-up. Further research is needed to validate these findings.