ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficiency of unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation by percutaneous and interbody fusion to treat low lumbar vertebra diseases. Methods Thirty patients with low lumbar vertebra diseases were entered into the study, including 8 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.7 years. All patients underwent discectomy, spinal canal decompression, cage implantation and lumbar fixation by unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw under gunsight guiding by percutaneous. Clinical outcomes were assed by JOA questionnaires before and after operation. Operative time, blood loss, and postoperative draiming were recorded. Radiological examination was obtained to assess position of translaminar facet screw.Results Mean operation time was 89 min with a blood loss of 285 ml. Position of translaminar facet screw grade Ⅰ were 24 cases, and grade 11 were 6. Mean follow-up was 22.5 months. 29 cases got bony fusion, and the fusion rate was 96.7%. There were no instability and evidence instrument failure during follow-up. The JOA grades improved from 13.0 preoperation to 25.2 at final follow-up, with the excellent and good rate of 72.5 %. Conclusion Unilateral pedicle screw combined with contralateral translaminar facet screw fixation by percutaneous and interbody fusion provide simple procedure, little trauma, forceful fixation, high fusion rate, and less complication, etc. Therefore, the surgical maneuver is a good choice for partial low lumbar vertebra diseases.