Laparoscopic spinal fusion of L4-L5 and L5-S1.
BACKGROUND
Patients with degenerative disc disease were treated by laparoscopic spondylodesis. Clinical outcome and quality of life were then analyzed in a retrospective study.


METHODS
Thirty patients with a mean age of 43 years (range, 26-63) who suffered from instability of levels L4-L5 (n = 23), L5-S1 (n = 3), or both (n = 2) underwent surgery. Spondylodesis was achieved with two BAK cylinders. After 6 months, all patients completed a questionnaire designed to assess satisfaction with the operative outcome.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range, 0.9-3.5), 23 patients were free of pain or greatly improved. Complications included bleeding (n = 2), cage displacement (n = 1), retrograde ejaculation (n = 3), and postoperative ileus (n = 1). Good improvement was reported in daily activities and quality of life.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic spondylodesis has a good clinical outcome with a low rate of morbidity. Notable improvements can be achieved in terms of daily activities and quality of life; however, these improvements are moderate in degree, and patient activity remains somewhat limited.
Geerdes
B P
BP
Department of General Surgery, Deaconess Hospital, DS Theodoor Fliednerstaat 1, The Netherlands.
Geukers
C W
CW
van Erp
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*