[Total lumbar disc replacement with SB Charité III prosthesis: Chinese experience with more than two years follow-up].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of total lumbar disc replacement with SB Charité III prosthesis.


METHODS
From Dec 1999 to Dec 2006, total lumbar disc replacement with SB Charité III prosthesis was performed in 65 patients affected with degenerative lumbar disc disorders. Among these patients, 48 (52 prosthesis) were followed up for more than two years (from 2.0 to 7.5 years). There were 22 males and 26 females with an average age of 43 years old (from 36 to 58 years). The diagnosis was lumbar disc herniation with low back pain in 34 patients, discogenic low back pain in 9 patients and failed lumbar disc surgery in 5 patients. All patients underwent standard anterior procedure under general anesthesia. One level replacement was done in 44 patients (L3,4 in 3, L4,5 in 23 and L5-S1 in 18), and two level procedures in 4 patients (L3,4/L4,5 in 1 and L4,5/L5-S1 in 3). Clinical and radiographic results of these patients were evaluated at each follow-up time (1, 3, 6, 12, 24 months after operation and the latest).


RESULTS
The average visual analogue scales score for pain was 9.3 before operation, changed to 4.3 one month after operation, further declined to 2.6 two years after operation and finally to 1.8 at the latest follow-up evaluation. Meanwhile, the average Oswestry Disability Index was 45.8 before operation, 28.6 one month after operation, 12.5 two years after operation and 8.2 at the latest followup evaluation. All operated levels but one maintained mobile and there was no significant loss of range of motion observed. Complications such as implant dislocation or significant subsidence of the prosthesis occurred in none case of this group. All patients but one (98%) were satisfied with the surgery at the latest follow-up evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Total lumbar disc replacement is an effective method for the treatment of degenerative disc disorders. Its long-term outcome remains to be verified.
Lu
Shi-bao
SB
Department of Orthopaedics, Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Wang
Qing-yi
QY
Hai
Yong
Y
Su
Qing-jun
QJ
Kang
Nan
N
Zhang
Cen-shan
CS
D000328:Adult; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome