Critical length of fusion requiring additional fixation to prevent nonunion of the lumbosacral junction.
METHODS
A retrospective study.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the critical length of fusion that warrants additional stronger fixation in lumbosacral (L-S) fusion, and to analyze the risk factors of nonunion at the L-S junction.


BACKGROUND
Long lever arm fusion down to S1 requires stronger fixation than short lever arm fusion. However, no published criteria are available about the critical length of fusion requiring stronger fixation to the ilium or S2 to obtain adequate stability for union at the L-S junction.


METHODS
A total of 327 adult patients with degenerative lumbar disease, who were treated with instrumented fusion, including the L-S junction, were included in this study. Mean patient age was 59.7 (20-79) years and the minimum follow-up was 12 months. Union rates were compared using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Length of fusion, age, sex, lumbar lordosis at preoperative, early postoperative and final follow-ups, BMD, smoking history, associated morbidities, fat content of paraspinal muscle, methods of fusion, and levels of intercristal line were examined as independent variables to identify factors that affect union rate at the L-S junction.


RESULTS
Of the 327 patients, 47 (14.4%) had nonunion at the L-S junction. Union rate of the L-S junction at the single level, and at 2, 3, 4, 5, and more than 5 levels were 96.6%, 92.9%, 87.4%, 64.7%, 66.7%, and 58.0%, respectively. A significant difference of union rate was found between less than 4 levels and 4 or more levels of fusion (P < 0.05). The factors found by multivariate analysis to significantly affect union rate at the L-S junction were fusion length and fat content of paraspinal muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of nonunion at the L-S junction was found to increase significantly for more than 3 levels of fusion. We advise that additional stronger fixation is needed in such cases.
Lee
Chong-Suh
CS
From the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chung
Sung Soo
SS
Choi
Sung Woo
SW
Yu
Jae Wook
JW
Sohn
Min Su
MS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007085:Ilium / Q000601:surgery; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012447:Sacrum / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult