Report of two cases and description of surgical technique

SSIFICATION of the posterior longitudinal ligament, a result of heterotopic ossification, can induce spinal canal stenosis and lead to the development of severe myelopathy. Although numerous authors have reported on OPLL of the cervical and thoracic spine, few have discussed OPLL of the lumbar spine 1,2,7 and no surgical treatment procedure has yet been established for the treatment of lumbar OPLL. We performed surgery in two patients with lumbar OPLL and obtained favorable results. These cases are discussed and the literature reviewed. Our goal was to assess the optimal surgical treatment for OPLL of the lumbar spine.