Clinical outcomes of 3 fusion methods through the posterior approach in the lumbar spine.
METHODS
This prospective randomized study compared 3 fusion methods: posterolateral fusion (PLF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and PLIF combined with PLF (PLF+PLIF).


OBJECTIVE
To compare the outcomes of the 3 fusion methods and find a useful fusion method.


BACKGROUND
Many studies have shown clinical results, advantages, and postoperative complications of each fusion method, but few have compared the 3 fusion methods prospectively.


METHODS
A total of 167 patients who underwent 1 or 2-level fusion surgery because of degenerative lumbar disease from January 1996 to September 2000 were studied. Minimum follow-up was 3 years. The patients were randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups: group 1 (PLF; n = 62); group 2 (PLIF; n = 57); and group 3 (PLF+PLIF; n = 48). A visual analog scale, the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and Kirkaldy-Willis criteria were used to measure low back pain, leg pain, and disability. For radiologic evaluation, disc height, lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, and bone union were examined. Postoperative complications were also analyzed.


RESULTS
At the last follow-up, good or excellent results were obtained in 50 cases of PLF (80.7%), 50 cases of PLIF (87.8%), and 41 cases of PLF+PLIF (85.5%). No statistical differences were found among the 3 groups (P = 0.704). All methods indicated significant improvement in the disc height (P < 0.05), with PLF having the highest loss in disc height. Lumbar lordosis and segmental angle increased significantly, and improvement of the segmental angle in the 3 fusion methods had statistically significant differences. The nonunion rates at the last follow-up in the 3 fusion groups were not statistically significant, with 8% in group 1, 5% in group 2, and 4% in group 3 (P > 0.05). Complications included deep infection in 3 cases, transient nerve palsy in 4, permanent nerve palsy in 1, and donor site pain in 6.


CONCLUSIONS
No significant differences in clinical results and union rates were found among the 3 fusion methods. PLIF had better sagittal balance than PLF. PLIF without PLF had advantages of the elimination of donor site pain, shorter operating time, and less blood loss.
Kim
Ki-Tack
KT
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. ktkim@khmc.or.kr
Lee
Sang-Hun
SH
Lee
Young-Ho
YH
Bae
Sung-Chul
SC
Suk
Kyung-Soo
KS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008141:Lordosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection; D016896:Treatment Outcome