title: Segmental ("floating") lumbar spine fusions.
abstract: A traditional teaching in orthopaedic surgery has been that, in cases of fusion for L4-5 discopathy or instability, one must include the lumbosacral joint. There is nothing in the literature to support this time-honored dictum. The senior author, among others, has rejected this concept; and, the authors are, therefore, in a position to present a 32-year experience with segmental or "floating" fusion. Two hundred six floating fusions were performed, of which 184 were available for follow-up. Of these, 83.7% achieved "Excellent" or "Good" results; 15.2% were rated "Fair"; and 2% were rated "Poor." Only five patients (2.7%) had subsequent disc herniation at the lumbosacral level necessitating discectomy and extension of fusion to incorporate the sacrum.
authors.affiliation: Texas Institute for Spinal Disorders, Houston.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Brodsky
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hendricks
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Darden
authors.forename: T T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Brotzman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors