title: Stand-alone anterior versus anteroposterior lumbar interbody single-level fusion after a mean follow-up of 41 months.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective cohort study comparing evaluations of single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus anteroposterior lumbar fusion (APLF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clinically and radiologically compare the outcome after angle-stable, locked, stand-alone ALIF with that obtained after APLF, in cases with degenerative disc disease (DDD).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Fusion rates have been reported to be highest after interbody fusion with transpedicular fixation. However, transpedicular fixation is linked to significant damage of the paravertebral muscles, to screw displacement-related neurological and vascular complications, and to an increased rate of adjacent segment degeneration. When performed as a stand-alone procedure, the disadvantages of transpedicular fixation can be completely avoided by ALIF.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients with chronic low-back pain due to a single-level DDD (Modic ≥2) and facet joint arthritis (Fujiwara ≥3) were enrolled in this study. Forty patients received an anteroposterior fusion (ALIF with transpedicular fixation: APLF group) and 40 patients (ALIF group) were treated with a stand-alone ALIF using the Synfix-LR device. At 7 days, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months, and at a mean follow-up of 41 months, patients were clinically (visual analog scale, Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index, satisfaction) and radiologically (x-ray, and at 12 months, thin-slice computed tomography) compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood loss and duration of surgery were significantly lower in the ALIF group (P<0.001). Visual analog scale and Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index improved significantly over time (analysis of variance, P<0.001) in both groups, but both scores were significantly better in ALIF group (analysis of variance, P<0.001). Patients' satisfaction consistently ranked higher in the ALIF group (P=0.042 at 12 mo). No significant difference was found in the fusion rate throughout the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stand-alone ALIF leads to better clinical results than APLF, without differences in fusion rates after 41 months. Therefore, when a posterior approach is not needed for decompression or reposition, we suggest performing a stand-alone ALIF in cases with single-level DDD.
authors.affiliation: Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Clinic for Orthopaedics, Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Germany. patrick.strube@charite.de
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Strube
authors.forename: Eike
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoff
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: Carsten F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Perka
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Putzier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001863:Bone Screws; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome