Clinical assessment of one-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion performed with microendoscopic approach / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of one-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) performed with microendoscopic approach.Methods A consecutive series of 56 patients who under went one-level PLIF procedure(24 cases performed with microendoseopic approach and 32 cases with tradition- al open approach)were studied from January 2005 to May 2006.The following data were compared between 2 groups with 12 to 27 months follow-up:estimated blood loss,postoperative drainage,transfusion needs,surgi- cal time,length of hospital stay,postoperative back pain by visual analogue scale,complications,and the clinical and radiographic results.Results The microendoscopic approach was found to have a significantly less blood loss,less postoperative drainage,less needs of transfusion,less postoperative back pain,shorter re- covery time and shorter length of hospital stay.However,the microendoscopic approach needed significantly longer surgical time.There was no significant difference between 2 groups in the aspects of the complications and the clinical and radiographic results.Conclusion The one-level PLIF performed with microendoscopic approach minimize estimated blood loss,length of hospital stay,postoperative back pain.It also shows the ex- cellent surgical efficacy of the microendoscopic approach for suitable patients.