Indirect Decompression on MRI Chronologically Progresses After Immediate Postlateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: The Results From a Minimum of 2 Years Follow-Up.

Abstract

A prospective cohort study. The aim of this study was to investigate radiographical changes related to indirect decompression using lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) with posterior fixation. Indirect lumbar decompression via LLIF is used to treat degenerative lumbar diseases requiring neural decompression. Although evidence suggests that thecal sac enlargement follows shortly after surgery, few studies have described the postoperative changes on MRIs. This study involved 102 patients who underwent indirect decompression at 136 levels, with LLIF and posterior fixation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) were collected preoperatively and several times postoperatively (over a 2-year period starting immediately after surgery). We then quantified the cross-sectional areas of the thecal sac and ligamentum flavum, as well as the anteroposterior diameter of disc bulging, and qualitatively assessed lumbar spinal stenosis according to a modified version of Schizas' classification [Grades A (mild) to C (severe)]. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) was used for the assessment of the clinical symptoms. All changes were observable immediately after surgery, progressed over time, and were significantly different statistically at 2 years after surgery. The thecal sac was significantly larger (189% of preoperative; P < 0.0001), while the ligamentum flavum and disc bulge were significantly smaller [58.9% and 67.3% of preoperative (P < 0.001), respectively]. The number of patients with grade C (severe) lumbar stenosis also dropped significantly (preoperative, 17.6%; 2 years postoperative, 0%). There were no significant differences in JOABPEQ results at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postsurgery. Indirect decompression produces immediate positive results that continue to improve over time. The cross-sectional area of the thecal sac doubled by 2 years after surgery, and the ligamentum flavum cross-sectional area and disc bulging both shrank significantly. At the same time, however, postoperative radiographical improvements do not appear to correlate with clinical symptoms. 3.