Objective:

Laminoplasty using mini-plates is one of most common surgical technique in surgeries for intraspinal pathologies. However, limited data had been present in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine its long-term clinical and radiologic outcome specifically using L-shape mini-plate.

Methods:

From January 2008 to December 2019, patients who underwent surgery for spinal intradural pathology were retrospectively reviewed. Those who received laminoplasty using Leibinger mini-plate and had been followed for more than 2 years were included. Patient demographics, clinical and radiographic data were reviewed and analyzed. One hundred seventeen patients (male:female = 47:70; mean age 50.9 years, range 16-92) were included, and mean follow-up period was 50.3 months (range 24-151).

Results:

The most common pathology was schwannoma (n=66, 56.4%) followed by meningioma (n=30, 25.6%). Gross total resection was achieved in 82.9% (n=97). Clinical outcomes at the last follow-up were mostly good and excellent (n=95, 81.2%). Computed tomography at the postoperative 1-year were available in 32 patients (27.4%) and the overall fusion rate was 89.3% (50/56 laminae). The fusion rate was significantly low in the cervical spine compared to other locations (50% vs. thoracic, 100%; lumbar, 85.7%, p<0.002). No displacement of laminae or postoperative spinal deformity were observed throughout the follow-up.

Conclusions:

Laminoplasty using L-shape Leibinger mini-plates had a 89.3% fusion rate, and no displacement of the re-attached laminae was observed. We think it is a safe and feasible option in surgeries for intraspinal pathologies.