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

Table 4 Recommendations

	Pathology specific indications
Anterior approach	DCM:
	• Pre-existing cervical kyphosis
	OPLL:
	• K-line (−) patients regardless of canal-occupying ratio
	• K-line (+) and canal-occupying ratio > 60%
Posterior approach	DCM:
	• Severe osteoporosis, renal failure, smokers
	• Multi-level pathology
	OPLL:
	• K-line (+) and canal-occupying ratio < 50–60%
	• Multi-level pathology

DCM Degenerative cervical myelopathy, OPLL Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

ISSN: 1471-2474