Intraoperative evaluation using mobile computed tomography in anterior cervical decompression with floating method for massive ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

BACKGROUND: An anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) with the floating method is an effective procedure for treating ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), allowing a direct decompressive effect on the spinal cord. However, the procedure is skill-intensive, particularly in cases of OPLL with a high canal-occupying ratio. In such cases, there are potential risks for insufficient decompression due to the incomplete floating of the OPLL. Here, we introduce an anterior decompression procedure for massive OPLL, using an intraoperative computed tomography (CT) with a mobile scanner gantry for the intraoperative evaluation of the decompression. We further evaluated the outcomes of ADF using mobile CT in comparison with a historical control of ADF without intraoperative CT evaluation. METHODS: Fifty OPLL patients who underwent ADF with the floating method were evaluated in this study: 25 patients with intraoperative CT (CT group) and 25 patients without CT (non-CT group). In the CT group, intraoperative CT scanning was performed before freeing the ossification from the surrounding bone tissues. The reconstructed images were reviewed to evaluate the extent of bone decompression and thinning of the OPLL. After review of the images, further thinning of the OPLL or removal of surrounding bone was performed as deemed necessary, to complete the floating of the OPLL. RESULTS: Patients’ background was similar between the CT and non-CT group. Operating time tended to be shorter for the CT group. On the postoperative CT, incomplete OPLL floating due to “impingement” between the OPLL and the medial aspect of the pedicle or uncovertebral joint was observed for four patients (16.0%) in the non-CT group, whereas insufficient decompression was not observed in the CT group. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative CT imaging was effective to avoid insufficient decompression following ADF with the floating method for massive OPLL. We also consider that the intraoperative three-dimensional imaging is helpful for providing informative feedback to surgeons to improve performance in skill-intensive surgeries such as ADF with the floating method.