Cause analysis and treatment strategy of cage retropulsion after lumbar interbody fusion / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate causes and treatment strategy of cage retropulsion after lumbar interbody fusion.Methods Data of 11 patients with cage retropulsion after lumbar interbody fusion from December 2005 to October 2011 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.There were 7 males and 4 females.Their age ranged from 36 to 78 years (average,52.3 years) at the time of the primary operation.Six cases occurred cage retropulsion 0.5 to 3 months after the primary operation,while 5 cases occurred cage retropulsion 14 to 36 months after the primary operation.The causes of cage retropulsion were analyzed.Moreover,corresponding managements were performed and results were recorded.Results The early cage retropulsion was associated with mismanagement of intervertebral space,too much residual of nucleus pulposus,insufficient erasion of cartilage end plate,too small size of cage,malposition of cage,insufficient fixation and so on.The late cage retropulsion was associated with improper choice of surgical strategies,multi-level fusion,preoperative unsteady of vertebrae,advanced age,osteoporosis,diabetes and so on.Three patients underwent conservative treatment and 8 patients underwent revision surgery.All 11 patients were followed up for 6 to 72 months (average,34 months).There was no re-migration of cage,fusion failure,pedicle screw loosening and other complications during the follow-up period.Conclusion The causes of cage retropulsion after lumbar interbody fusion were complex and diverse,and the time of cage retropusion had some clinical value for the cause analysis.It was more advisable to make an individualized treatment program based on the causes of cage retropulsion,clinical manifestations and imaging results.