title: Influence of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures on spinal and pelvic parameters of sagittal balance.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Restitution of sagittal balance is important after lumbar fusion, because it improves fusion rate and may reduce the rate of adjacent segment disease. The purpose of the present study was to describe the impact of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedures on pelvic and spinal parameters and sagittal balance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five patients who had single-level TLIF were included in this study. Pelvic and spinal radiological parameters of sagittal balance were measured preoperatively, postoperatively and at latest follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age at surgery averaged 58.4 (±9.6) years. Mean follow-up was 35.1 months (±4.1). Twenty-nine percent of the patients exhibited anterior imbalance preoperatively, with high pelvic tilt (17.6° ± 7.9°). Of the 32 (71%) patients well balanced before the procedure, 22 (70%) had a large pelvic tilt (>20°), due to retroversion of the pelvis as an adaptive response to the loss of lordosis. Three dural tears (7%) were reported intraoperatively. Interbody cages were more posterior than intended in 27% of the cases. Disc height and lumbar lordosis at fusion level significantly increased postoperatively (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). Pelvic tilt was significantly reduced (p < 0.01) postoperatively, whereas the global sagittal balance was not significantly modified (p = 0.07).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single-level circumferential fusion helps patients reducing their pelvic compensation, but the amount of correction does not allow for complete correction of sagittal imbalance.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris-VII University, 100 Boulevard du général Leclerc, Clichy, France.
authors.forename: Mourad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ould-Slimane
authors.forename: Thibaut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lenoir
authors.forename: Cyril
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dauzac
authors.forename: Ludovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rillardon
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Guigui
authors.forename: Brice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ilharreborde
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome