A Meta-Analysis of Cervical Laminoplasty Techniques: Are Mini-Plates Superior?

STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis and systematic review of literature. OBJECTIVE: In the late 1990s, spinal surgeons experimented by using maxillofacial fixation plates as an alternative to sutures, anchors, and local spinous process autografts to provide a more rigid and lasting fixation for laminoplasty. This eventually led to the advent of laminoplasty mini-plates, which are currently used. The objective is to compare laminoplasty techniques with plate and without plate with regard to functional outcome results. METHODS: Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed to evaluate the currently available studies in an attempt to justify the use of a plate in laminoplasty. RESULTS: The principal finding of this study was that there was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcome between the 2 different techniques of laminoplasty. CONCLUSION: There is not enough evidence in the literature to support one technique over the other, and hence, there is no evidence to support change in practice (using or not using the plate in laminoplasty). A randomized controlled trial will give a better comparison between the 2 groups.