Racapping Laminoplastic Reconstruction After Excision of Intraspinal Canal Tumors

To prevent the complications of laminectomy after excision of intraspinal canal tumors, racapping laminoplastic reconstruction technique was tried. This is to study the results of the procedures in 21 patients. Pathology includes 6 neurofibromas; 6 neurilemmomas; 6 meningiomas; 2 hemangiomas; and 1 lipoma. Posterior neural arch was removed in one piece by osteotomy at pedicles or far lateral laminae. Laminoplasty was total in 14, hemi in 7. After the microscopic tumor excision, the excised lamina was fixed to it’s original position. Clinically, all cases showed pain relief and neurologic improvement. Radiographically, bony union was obtained within 4 months. Instability, kyphotic deformity, or bony resorption were not observed. Incomplete cord injury was developed temporarilly in one. In conclusion, the authors believe that laminoplastic racapping techniques can be a help in the prevention of complications of laminectomy.