[Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation: analysis of 18 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effectiveness and advantages of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in the treatment of upper lumbar disc herniation.


METHODS
Eighteen cases with upper lumbar disc herniation, 12 males and 6 females, aged 21 - 67, underwent TLIF. Follow-up was conducted for 19.8 months (12 - 54 months). The surgical process, outcomes, and complications were reviewed retrospectively. In TLIF operation, pedicle screw fixation was performed first, unilateral or bilateral facet joints were then excised. Disc removal and titanium mesh or fusion cage insertion were completed via transforaminal approach.


RESULTS
Unilateral TLIF was performed in 14 cases and bilateral TLIF was accomplished in 4 cases. The mean operation time was 82.4 minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was 323 ml. No injury of spinal cord or nerve roots happened during the operation. The follow-up showed that the operation results were excellent in 11 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 3 cases. No worsening or relapse of preoperative symptoms was observed. Disc spaces and lumbar lordosis were restored satisfactorily. No internal fixation failure was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Able to excise disc completely, restore physiological lumbar curve effectively and prevent postoperative instability, TLIF is one of effective surgical treatments for upper lumbar disc herniation for selected patients.
Liu
Hai-ying
HY
Department of Spinal Surgery, People's Hospital, Beijing University, Beijing 100034, China.
Wang
Bo
B
Wang
Hui-min
HM
Zhang
Jian
J
Qian
Ya-long
YL
Jin
Zhao-hui
ZH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*