title: [Clinical outcomes of mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under Quadrant system for upper lumbar disc herniation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment outcomes of mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion by Quadrant system for upper lumbar disc herniation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between February 2008 and June 2011, 21 patients with upper lumbar disc herniation underwent mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under Quadrant system at our institution. The relevant patient data included visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores before and after operation 1 week, 3 months and last follow-up. And all data were collected retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No operation-related complications occurred. The mean operative duration was 2.8 (2.5-3) hours. The average blood loss volume was 430 (350-500) ml. Preoperative VAS was 7.3 ± 0.8 and 2.1 ± 0.9, 1.3 ± 0.6, 0.6 ± 0.5 after operation 1 week, 3 months and last follow-up respectively. Statistically significant differences were demonstrated between each group. Preoperative ODI was 43.7 ± 12.9 and 22.5 ± 10.4, 16.2 ± 8.5, 11.3 ± 7.2 after operation 1 week, 3 months and last follow up. Significant differences existed in preoperative and postoperative ODI scores respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using Quadrant system and special osteotome is safe and efficacious for upper lumbar disc herniation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China. Email: zhuangqingshan@126.com.
authors.forename: Qingshan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhuang
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Zhaowan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Guoxia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sui
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Dengxing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lun
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Spinal Surgery, Municipal People's Hospital, Weifang 261041, China.
authors.forename: Yudong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ji
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D010027:Osteotomy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome