Clinical Outcomes and Considerations of the Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique for Lumbar Disk Disease in Adolescents

Abstract

Introduction The posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) technique is a commonly used surgical method for wide indications such as degeneration or trauma. Although it is rarely required for lumbar disc disease in younger patients, there are a few children and adolescents who are indicated for PLIF for other reasons such as congenital severe stenosis with or without lumbar instability that requires wide decompression, or severe bony spurs that need to be removed. In such cases, different pathophysiology and outcomes are expected compared with adult patients. Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of 23 patients who underwent PLIF techniques when less than 20 years old. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed during a mean 36.4-month follow-up period. The indications of PLIF, success of fusion, complications, and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were analyzed. Results Radiographs of all patients taken 6 months after the surgery showed fusion. Clinical outcome was also satisfactory, with improvement of VAS score from 7.7 preoperatively to 2.3 at 6 months after surgery. Only one patient had reoperation because of the adjacent segment disease. Conclusions For adolescent patients with severe bony spur, massive central disc rupture, or severe spondylolisthesis, PLIF surgery has good surgical outcomes with few complications.