ABSTRACT
Methods@#For this prospective multicenter study, 40 patients were followed up through radiologic and clinical examinations for at least 1 year postoperatively. All surgical procedures were either single- or double-level LLIF using bioactive porous titanium spacers without bone grafts. @*Results@#Four patients were excluded from the study owing to aggravation from other comorbidities. Another 36 patients, including 26 and 10 with single- and double-level LLIFs, respectively, participated in the follow-up. The mean age at the time of surgery was 63.7 years. The mean operating time was 50.5 minutes per level. The mean estimated intraoperative blood loss was 11.6 mL per level. Clinical scores improved in all cases and were maintained throughout the follow-up period. The intervertebral bony union rates were 67.4% and 84.8% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Endplate cyst signs were observed in 13.0% and 8.7% of patients at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Fused segmental angles were maintained throughout the follow-up period, indicating no cage subsidence. @*Conclusions@#Single- and double-level LLIFs using bioactive porous titanium spacers without bone grafts were found to be minimally invasive, resulting in clinical and imaging results comparable with conventional procedures. Therefore, this type of implant may be an option for minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery.
ABSTRACT
Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate aggravated lateral recess stenosis and clarify the indirect decompression threshold by combined lateral interbody fusion and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (LIF/PPS).Overview of LiteratureNo previous reports have described an effective radiographic indicator for determining the surgical indication for LIF/PPS.MethodsA retrospective review of 185 consecutive patients, who underwent 1- or 2-level lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). According to their symptomatic improvement, they were placed into either the “recovery” or “no-recovery” group. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) images were evaluated for the position of the superior articular processes at the slipping level, followed by a graded classification (grades 0–3) using the impingement line (I line), a new radiographic indicator. All 432 superior articular facets in 216 slipped levels were classified, and both groups’ characteristics were compared.ResultsThere were 171 patients (92.4%) in the recovery group and 14 patients in the no-recovery group (7.6%). All patients in the no-recovery group were diagnosed with symptoms associated with deteriorated bony lateral recess stenosis. All superior articular processes of the lower vertebral body in affected levels reached and exceeded the I line (I line-; grade 2 and 3) on preoperative sagittal CT images. In the recovery group, most superior articular processes did not reach the I line (I line+; grade 0 and 1; p=0.0233).ConclusionsIn DS cases that are classified as grade 2 or greater, the risk of aggravated bony lateral recess stenosis due to corrective surgery is high; therefore, indirect decompression by LIF/PPS is, in principle, contraindicated.
ABSTRACT
Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate aggravated lateral recess stenosis and clarify the indirect decompression threshold by combined lateral interbody fusion and percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (LIF/PPS).Overview of LiteratureNo previous reports have described an effective radiographic indicator for determining the surgical indication for LIF/PPS.MethodsA retrospective review of 185 consecutive patients, who underwent 1- or 2-level lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). According to their symptomatic improvement, they were placed into either the “recovery” or “no-recovery” group. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) images were evaluated for the position of the superior articular processes at the slipping level, followed by a graded classification (grades 0–3) using the impingement line (I line), a new radiographic indicator. All 432 superior articular facets in 216 slipped levels were classified, and both groups’ characteristics were compared.ResultsThere were 171 patients (92.4%) in the recovery group and 14 patients in the no-recovery group (7.6%). All patients in the no-recovery group were diagnosed with symptoms associated with deteriorated bony lateral recess stenosis. All superior articular processes of the lower vertebral body in affected levels reached and exceeded the I line (I line-; grade 2 and 3) on preoperative sagittal CT images. In the recovery group, most superior articular processes did not reach the I line (I line+; grade 0 and 1; p=0.0233).ConclusionsIn DS cases that are classified as grade 2 or greater, the risk of aggravated bony lateral recess stenosis due to corrective surgery is high; therefore, indirect decompression by LIF/PPS is, in principle, contraindicated.