Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a safe technique with satisfactory three to five year results

The unilateral transforaminal approach for lumbar interbody fusion as an alternative to the anterior (ALIF) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) combined with pedicle screw instrumentation is gaining in popularity. At present, a prospective study using a standardized tool for out...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:European spine journal 2005-08, Vol.14 (6), p.551-558
Main Authors: Hackenberg, Lars, Halm, Henry, Bullmann, Viola, Vieth, Volker, Schneider, Marc, Liljenqvist, Ulf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Low Back Pain - surgery
Lumbar Vertebrae - surgery
Male
Middle Aged
Original
Pain, Postoperative
Spinal Fusion - instrumentation
Spinal Fusion - methods
Spondylolisthesis - surgery
Treatment Outcome
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The unilateral transforaminal approach for lumbar interbody fusion as an alternative to the anterior (ALIF) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) combined with pedicle screw instrumentation is gaining in popularity. At present, a prospective study using a standardized tool for outcome measurement after the transforaminal lumber interbody fusion (TLIF) with a follow-up of at least 3 years is not available in the current literature, although there have been reports on specific complications and cost efficiency. Therefore, a study of TLIF was undertaken. Fifty-two consecutive patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 years were included, with the mean follow-up being 46 months (36--64). The indications were 22 isthmic spondylolistheses and 30 degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Thirty-nine cases were one-level, 11 cases were two-level, and two cases were three-level fusions. The pain and disability status was prospectively evaluated by the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and a visual analog scale (VAS). The status of bony fusion was evaluated by an independent radiologist using anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs. The operation time averaged 173 min for one-level and 238 min for multiple-level fusions. Average blood loss was 485 ml for one-level and 560 ml for multiple-level fusions. There were four serious complications registered: a deep infection, a persistent radiculopathy, a symptomatic contralateral disc herniation and a pseudarthrosis with loosening of the implants. Overall, the pain relief in the VAS and the reduction of the ODI was significant (P
ISSN:0940-6719
1432-0932
DOI:10.1007/s00586-004-0830-1