C5 palsy following posterior decompression and instrumentation in cervical stenosis: Single center experience and review

The above findings suggest that the cause of C5 palsy remains elusive. Though our incidence of lasting C5 palsy subsequent to laminectomy and instrumentation was 8%, it is probably under-reported. In our experience, laminectomy and instrumentation failed to increase lordosis and, in fact, were associated with an increase in positive cervical balance. Complications with cervical laminectomy and instrumentation are not by any means rare, and need to be emphasized in counselling patients, and selecting the approach.