Are Skip Laminectomy and Oblique Corpectomy Effective Options to Treat Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy While Preserving Motion? Results of a Scoping Review

Authors

• Justin L Lomax
• Ankit Mehta
• Aditya Vedantam
• Rory Goodwin
• Nathan Evaniew
• Mario Ganau
• Chris J Neal
• Rex A W Marco
• Ryan Quisling
• Jonathan Palmer
• Adam T Archie
• Keith L Jackson
• John G DeVine
• Jefferson R Wilson
• Uzondu F Agochukwu

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2026

Journal

Global Spine Journal

DOI

10.1177/21925682251366642

PMID

41489661

PMCID

PMC12868574

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-5-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Study Design

Scoping Literature Review.

Objective

The aim of this literature review is to examine the results of both skip laminectomy and oblique corpectomy in the setting of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods

A scoping review of the relevant literature examining the efficacy of cervical skip laminectomy and oblique corpectomy in patients with DCM was conducted using the Medline database. Our review strategy aimed at answering two research questions. #1: Do clinical outcomes differ between patients undergoing cervical laminoplasty vs skip laminectomy in the setting of myelopathy. #2: Which outcomes can oblique corpectomy provide, and how its related complication profile differs from other motion preserving procedures? What is the incidence of persistent myelopathy requiring reoperation following oblique corpectomy?

Results

Our query identified 43 potentially relevant articles. For questions 1, 3 were deemed relevant to the research question posed. For question 2, 6 articles were deemed relevant to the research question posed. Both cervical skip laminectomy and cervical oblique corpectomy are viable options for the treatment of DCM. Skip laminectomy compared to laminoplasty resulted in at least equivalent results in regard to functional outcomes and retained range of motion. Oblique corpectomy in appropriately indicated patients results in improved functional outcomes. It carries the unique increased risk of temporary and permanent Horner’s syndrome compared to other motion preserving cervical procedures.

Conclusion

Additional well designed comparative studies are required to draw firm conclusions in the treatment of cervical myelopathy with these alternative motion preserving techniques.

Keywords

cervical laminoplasty, degenerative cervical myelopathy, obilque corpectomy, skip laminectomy

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Lomax, Justin L; Mehta, Ankit; Vedantam, Aditya; et al., "Are Skip Laminectomy and Oblique Corpectomy Effective Options to Treat Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy While Preserving Motion? Results of a Scoping Review" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 3977.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/3977