title: Biomechanical and clinical study of single posterior oblique cage POLIF in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aim of the study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability and the clinical efficacy of a lumbar interbody fusion obtained by single oblique cage implanted by a posterior approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through the realization of three finite element models (FEMs), the biomechanics of POLIF was compared to PLIF and TLIF. Ninety-four patients underwent interbody fusion by POLIF with instrumented posterolateral fusion. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at regular intervals for at least 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The FEMs showed no statistically significant differences in stability in compression and flexion-extension. Mean preoperative VAS score was 7.1, decreased to 2.1 at follow-up. Mean preoperative SF-12 value was 34.5 %, increased to 75.4 % at follow-up. All patients showed a good fusion rate and no hardware failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  POLIF associated to instrumented posterolateral fusion is a viable and safe surgical technique, which ensures a biomechanical stability similar to other surgical techniques.
authors.affiliation: Spinal Division I, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zagra
authors.affiliation: Spinal Division I, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy. scaramuzzolaura@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Scaramuzzo
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galbusera
authors.affiliation: Spinal Division I, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Leone
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minoia
authors.affiliation: Spinal Division I, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Marino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Archetti
authors.affiliation: Spinal Division I, I.R.C.C.S. Galeazzi Orthopedic Institute, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giudici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Biomechanics; Cage; Degenerative diseases; Interbody fusion; Lumbar spine