LAUSR

AIM Published studies have shown that several factors affect the development of C5 palsy after cervical open-door laminoplasty. As such, predicting its occurrence preoperatively is not possible. The current study aimed to uncover factors that can predict the development of C5 palsy before surgery by evaluating several different parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 177 patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2020 were included in the study. In total, C5 palsy was observed in 22 (12.4%) of our patients. The radiological and clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed and added to the data. RESULTS A total of 177 patients who satisfied the criteria were included in the study, among whom 117 (66.1%) and 60 (33.9%) were male and female, respectively. Patients with ossified posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) (92; 52.0%) needed surgery the most. C5 palsy developed in 16/92 (17.3%) patients who had surgery for OPLL. This result was statistically significant (p 0.001). However, a significant difference in the postoperative Pavlov ratio was noted between both groups (p = 0.027). The foraminal dimensions for the C5 palsy group were significantly lower than those for the non-C5 palsy group. CONCLUSION Smaller C5 root foramina diameter measurements were the most important predictive factor for the development of C5 palsy after open-door cervical laminoplasty. Although the pathophysiology remains to be fully understood, ischemia-reperfusion injury supposedly plays a role therein.