Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) with unilateral pedicle screw fixation in treatment of one-level lumbar degenerative disease

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical and radiographic outcomes of minimally invasive transforarninal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) with unilateral pedicle screw fixation in treatment of one-level lumbar degenerative disease.Methods A total of 65 patients suffered from one-level lumbar degenerative disease between October 2009 and December 2011.They were divided into 2 groups according to different fixation ways.31 patients were given MIS-TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation.The other 34 patients were given MIS-TLIF with bilateral pedicle screw fixation.Microscopic tubular retractor system (METRxMD) and Sextant system were used in all the procedures of treatment.The whole lumbar lordosis (WL),the segmnental lordosis (SL),fusion level disc space angle,lumbar scoliosis angle,and segmental scoliosis angle were measured pre and post operation according to standarded X-rays.The disc height index (DI) and the lumber curvature index (LI) were also evaluated.The Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and visual analog scale (VAS) pain score data were obtained from all the patients pre-operation and during each following-up procedure.Results All the patients were well followed up 18 months to 36 months(average 26.6 months).All the 65 patients were proved to achieve bone fusion in 12 months post-operation.The ODI and VAS scores post-operation improved significantly in each group,but showed no significant difference between the 2 groups.Likewise,there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in datas of WL,SL,fusion level disc space angle,lumbar scoliosis angle,segmental scoliosis angle,DI,and LI.But there was a positive linear correlation between the LI and WL in the 2 groups.Conclusion MIS-TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation is as good as MIS-TLIF with bilateral pedicle screw fixation in patients of one-level lumbar degenerative disease. Key words: Lumbar Vertebrae; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Spinal fusion