Prospective clinical outcomes of revision fusion surgery in patients with pseudarthrosis after posterior lumbar interbody fusions using stand-alone metallic cages.
BACKGROUND
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is a popular method of arthrodesis for surgical treatment of instabilities and degenerative conditions of the spine. With the introduction of threaded titanium cage devices, surgeons began performing PLIF procedures using these cages as stand-alone devices. Complications have been reported, however, including pseudarthrosis with persistent pain. Outcomes after revision surgical treatment for these patients with failed PLIF are not known.


OBJECTIVE
To prospectively evaluate clinical outcomes of revision fusion surgery in patients who previously underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with stand-alone metallic cages resulting in pseudarthrosis.


METHODS
Prospective case series.


METHODS
Nineteen patients referred to the senior author were evaluated and diagnosed with pseudoarthrosis having previously undergone a PLIF procedure with stand-alone metallic cages. History, physical exam, and imaging studies were performed preoperatively and postoperatively. All underwent revision posterolateral fusion with iliac crest graft and pedicle screw instrumentation. Patient demographics, SF-36, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data were collected prior to surgery and two years postoperatively.


RESULTS
Patients undergoing revision fusion surgery were found to have had extensive facetectomies and pseudarthrosis intraoperatively. Outcomes data was collected on eighteen of nineteen patients (95%). Mean clinical follow up was 3.2 years (range 2.5-3.5 years). Seventeen patients (94%) achieved a solid fusion. Improvement was noted in seven of eight SF-36 sub-categories, but was significant only in two (Physical Function and Role Emotional). There was no significant difference in ODI scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Pseudarthrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis if severe symptoms persist in patients who undergo PLIF with stand-alone metallic cages. Successful revision fusion did not always correlate with improved clinical outcomes in these challenging patients undergoing further surgery. Performing PLIF using stand-alone metallic cages, especially after total resection of the facet joints, is not advocated unless supplemental instrumentation is utilized.
Cassinelli
Ezequiel H
EH
Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case School of Medicine, 11100 Euclid Avenue, OH 44106, USA. zekedr@hotmail.com
Wallach
Corey
C
Hanscom
Brett
B
Vogt
Molly
M
Kang
James D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004644:Emotions; D004867:Equipment Design; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012919:Social Behavior; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome