Results after anterior-posterior lumbar spinal fusion: 2-5 years follow-up.
Between 1991 and 1998, we treated 72 patients with fusion of the lumbar spine using posterior pedicle screw fixation followed by anterior retroperitoneal insertion of a titanium cage filled with autogenous bone graft. All patients had chronic low back pain after failed conservative treatment. We were able to review 54 patients with a mean follow-up of 51 (24-97) months. The mean Oswestry low back pain disability score improved from 56.8 preoperative to postoperative 29.8 and 31.2 at follow-up (p<0.05). The mean visual analog pain intensity scale improved from 8.3 to 4.0 postoperative and 4.8 at follow-up (p<0.05). The results demonstrate that circumferential lumbar fusion can be an option for the treatment of chronic low back pain.
Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. thomas.niemeyer@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Thomas
T
Niemeyer
Albert Schulze
AS
Bövingloh
Henry
H
Halm
Ulf
U
Liljenqvist
D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome