Surgical decision-making for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament versus other types of degenerative cervical myelopathy: anterior versus posterior approaches

Table 1 General comparison between the two approaches

	Pros	Cons
Anterior approach	Better for those with pre-existing cervical kyphosis More direct approach to pathologies such as disc herniation and OPLL	Intra-operative: Longer operating time Higher intra-operative haemorrhage Post-operative complications: Longer hospitalisation Dysphagia and hoarseness of voice Higher graft related complications
Posterior approach	Simpler and extensile procedure Shorter operating times Faster recovery Virtually no chance of damaging vital structures in the neck	Post-operative complications More post-operative neck pain Higher intra-op kyphosis C5 palsy Hinge fracture Spring-back closure

ISSN: 1471-2474