Application of self-anchored lateral lumbar interbody fusion in lumbar degenerative diseases

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of self-anchored lateral lumbar interbody fusion (SA-LLIF) for lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods During January to December in 2019, a total of 41 patients with lumbar degenerative disease were treated with SA-LLIF, included 18 males and 23 females, aged 59.6±11.3 (range 49-77) years. There were lumbar stenosis and instability in 17 cases, disc degenerative disease in 8 cases, degenerative spondylolisthesis in 8 cases, degenerative scoliosis in 5 cases, postoperative revision in 3 cases. And osteoporosis was diagnosed in 5 of them. The index level included L2, 3 in 2 cases, L3, 4 in 11 cases, L4, 5 in 20 cases, L2-L4 in 3 cases and L3-L5 in 5 cases. After general anesthesia, the patient was placed in decubitus position. The anterior edge of psoas major muscle was exposed through 6 cm incision and extraperitoneal approach. Further, the psoas major muscle was properly retracted to expose the disc. After discectomy, the intervertebral space was prepared and moderately distracted. A suitable fusion cage filled with auto iliac graft was implanted. Two anchoring plates were inserted into the cage. Then, the caudal and cephalic vertebral body and the fusion cage were locked. Results The operation was performed successfully in all the patients. The operation duration was 79.0±19.5 (range 60-100) min. Intraoperative bleed loss was 38.0±28.2 (range 15-70) ml. The patients were followed up for averagely 10.6±4.6 (range 4-15) months. The visual analogue scale decreased from preoperative 6.2±2.1 to 1.6±1.1 and Oswestry disability index decreased from 47.8%±15.1% to 11.0%±7.3%. X-ray showed that the spine alignment recovered satisfactorily. No cage displacement was found. Sinking (2-3 mm) of cage was found in 7 patients without obvious symptom despite transient lumbar pain in an obesity woman. The lumbar lordosis recovered from 36.4°±10.2° to 48.0°±10.7°, and intervertebral height recovered from 8.3±2.5 mm to 11.3±3.3 mm. The rate of spondylolisthesis recovered from 19.7%±4.4% to 9.3%±5.3%. Conclusion SA-LLIF can provide immediate stability and good results for lumbar degenerative diseases with stand-alone anchoring cage without posterior internal fixation. Key words: Lumbar vertebrae; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Spinal fusion; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive