Evaluation of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

ABSTRACT

Lumbar interbody fusion provides the most logical solution to diseases of the lumbar spine instabilities, such as spondylolysis, spondylolisthesis and retrolisthesis. The 33 cases of lumbar interbody fusion done after Cloward method, Wiltberger method, method using bovine bone employing Cloward technique, and anterolateral approach were analyzed. Posterior interbody fusion after Wiltberger technique using dowel bone graft is a more simplified method, providing accurate approximation of graft and host bone and preventing extrusion of graft then Cloward technique. Immediate correction of extruded graft if any after postoperative CT checking is essential for successful fusion.