A minimum 10-year follow-up of posterior dynamic stabilization using Graf artificial ligament.
METHODS
A retrospective long-term follow-up study.


OBJECTIVE
To report minimum 10-year follow-up results of posterior dynamic stabilization using Graf artificial ligament and to evaluate the role and limitations of this procedure in the treatment of degenerative lumbar disorders.


BACKGROUND
Motion-preserving surgeries, including artificial disc replacement and ligamentoplasty, are increasingly gaining interest to avoid adverse effects of spinal fusion, but literature addressing long-term results is sparse.


METHODS
A total of 56 consecutive patients who underwent Graf ligamentoplasty were reviewed at a minimum 10-year follow-up. Forty-three patients in the original cohort had sufficient clinical and radiographic follow-up for analysis. The pathologies included degenerative spondylolisthesis in 23 patients, disc herniation with flexion instability in 13 patients, spinal stenosis with flexion instability in 4 patients, and degenerative scoliosis in 3 patients. Single-level procedures were performed in 36 patients; multilevel procedures were performed in 7 patients. Radiographic and clinical assessments were performed before surgery and at the final follow-up.


RESULTS
Disability due to low back pain and/or sciatic symptoms was significantly improved in the patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis or flexion instability. However, degenerative scoliosis and/or laterolisthesis were associated with poor clinical improvement. In radiographic assessment, segmental lordosis was maintained in 10.9 degrees, and flexion-extension motion was averaged 3.6 degrees at the final follow-up. Facet arthrodesis eventually occurred in 14 patients (32.6%) at an average of 82 months after surgery. Additional surgeries were required in 3 patients (7.0%) for adjacent segment pathologies.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term results showed that Graf ligamentoplasty is an effective treatment option for low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis and flexion instability. However, this procedure has limitations to correct spinal deformity, and is not advocated for the treatment of degenerative scoliosis and laterolisthesis.
Kanayama
Masahiro
M
Spine Center, Hakodate Central General Hospital, Hakodate, Hokkaido, Japan. mkanayama@aol.com
Hashimoto
Tomoyuki
T
Shigenobu
Keiichi
K
Togawa
Daisuke
D
Oha
Fumihiro
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019736:Prostheses and Implants / Q000592:standards*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*