Front vs back surgery: which is better for stiff spine condition?
NCT ID NCT04968028
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compares two surgical approaches for severe ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), a condition where a ligament in the spine hardens and presses on the spinal cord. One surgery (ACAF) goes through the front of the neck to remove the hardened ligament and fuse the bones. The other (laminoplasty) goes through the back to create more space for the spinal cord. The trial includes 167 adults with severe OPLL and will track their recovery of arm, leg, and bladder function for two years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement and Fusion (ACAF) surgery
- What this could lead to
- If ACAF proves better, it could become the preferred surgical option for severe cervical OPLL, improving nerve function recovery and quality of life.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with 167 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Both surgeries carry risks like infection, nerve damage, or incomplete recovery.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University
Jining, Shandong, 272100, China
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Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
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Shanghai Changhai Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200433, China
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Shanghai Changzheng Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200003, China
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Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200003, China
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Shanghai Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200333, China
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Shanxi Bethune Hospital
Taiyuan, Shanxi, 030032, China
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The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University
Harbin, Heilongjaing, 150086, China
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The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University
Qingdao, Shandong, 266555, China
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The First Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200086, China
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The Second Affiliated Hospital, Air Force Medical University
Xi’an, Shanxi, 710000, China
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Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100053, China
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