[Clinical study of transforaminal instrumented lumbar interbody fusion].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect and complications of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion technique.


METHODS
The medical records and radiographs of 40 patients undergone transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion between 2005 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 49 segments with fusion. Preoperative and 1 year postoperative functional evaluation were graded with ODI and VAS scoring system. The height and angle of the intervertebral space and the fusion status were measured as well.


RESULTS
All patients were followed-up for 12 to 24 months with the average of 18 mouths. There were no severity postoperative complications. The operation time averaged 160 min and average blood loss 510 ml. The effect results were excellent in 28 cases, good in 7 and fair in 5. The fusion rate was 100%. One year after operation, the pain relief in the VAS and the reduction of the ODI were significant (P < 0.01), the height and angle of the intervertebral space increased obviously (P < 0.05). Fifteen patients complained low back pain to some extent untill the last follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion can achieve satisfactory clinical and radiographic results especially for the failed back surgery syndrome.
Cao
Zheng-lin
ZL
Department of Orthopaedics, Foshan Hospital of TCM, Foshan 528000, Guangdong, China. caozl.doctor@163.com
Chen
Xun-wen
XW
Wu
Zeng-hui
ZH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*