title: [Bio-mechanical evaluation of extreme lateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility and post-operation stability of extreme lateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (E-TLIF) and other traditional surgical approach via bio-mechanical test.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 24 normal lumbar spine segment of swine were divided into the following four groups: control group, standard group (internal fixed with pedicle screws only), transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) group and E-TLIF group. The specimen in anteflect, hypsokinesis, lateral flexion and rotate movements were tested respectively with bio-mechanical devices to study on the load-straining changes and biomechanics index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After TLIF or E-TLIF, specimen turned out more steady than normal control group (t = 4.17 - 4.53, P < 0.01). Compared with TLIF group [linear displacement (3.98 ± 0.22) mm, angular displacement 3.03° ± 0.18°], specimen after E-TLIF [linear displacement (3.40 ± 0.09) mm, angular displacement 2.57° ± 0.12°] were more stable in biomechanics index on lateral flection movement (t = 2.61, P < 0.05), but no difference on axial or rotational movements (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  E-TLIF is a safe and more efficient operation approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, East Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Ming-jie
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Hao-ran
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Li-jun
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian-guang
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D013552:Swine