Factors influencing the long-term outcomes of instrumentation surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: a post-hoc analysis of a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTLumbar spinal canal stenosis caused by degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is one of the most common indications for spinal surgery. However, the factors that influence its long-term (>10 years) outcomes remain unknown.DESIGNThis is a post-hoc analysis of a prospective randomized study.PURPOSEThis study aimed to determine factors that influence the long-term outcomes of instrumentation surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis due to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.PATIENT SAMPLEPatients aged ≤75 years with single L4/5 level lumbar canal stenosis caused by degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis prospectively underwent instrumentation surgery at two hospitals between May 1, 2003, and April 30, 2012; the final follow-up examination was on May 20, 2021.OUTCOME MEASURESThe following data were collected: modified Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, JOA score recovery rate, visual analog scale (VAS) score for lower back and leg pain, and scores from eight short-form 36 (SF-36) subscales preoperatively and at the final follow-up examination.METHODSSpearman's correlation analysis and univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to examine preoperative factors that affect the JOA score recovery rate in patients who underwent instrumentation surgery for lumbar spinal canal stenosis at the L4/5 level due to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.RESULTSA total of 42 patients who underwent instrumentation surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and had a long-term follow-up period were included. Of these, 25 and 17 underwent posterolateral fusion and Graf stabilization, respectively. The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 12.5 years. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the long-term recovery rate was correlated with the preoperative VAS score for low back pain. In the univariate regression analysis, sex, preoperative VAS score for low back pain, and the SF-36 general health score were significantly associated with the long-term recovery rate. Meanwhile, the multiple stepwise regression analysis identified the preoperative VAS score for low back pain as an independent predictor of the long-term recovery rate.CONCLUSIONSThis study identified the preoperative VAS score for low back pain as an independent predictor of the long-term recovery rate following instrumentation surgery for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Therefore, when performing posterolateral fusion or Graf stabilization for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, attention should be paid to the intensity of preoperative low back pain and considerations should be given to whether these procedures can improve the patient's symptoms in the long term.     

High failure rate of the interspinous distraction device (X-Stop) for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis

The X-Stop interspinous distraction device has shown to be an attractive alternative to conventional surgical procedures in the treatment of symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. However, the effectiveness of the X-Stop in symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis is not known. A cohort of 12 consecutive patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis were treated with the X-Stop interspinous distraction device. All patients had low back pain, neurogenic claudication and radiculopathy. Pre-operative radiographs revealed an average slip of 19.6%. MRI of the lumbosacral spine showed a severe stenosis. In ten patients, the X-Stop was placed at the L4–5 level, whereas two patients were treated at both, L3–4 and L4–5 level. The mean follow-up was 30.3 months. In eight patients a complete relief of symptoms was observed post-operatively, whereas the remaining 4 patients experienced no relief of symptoms. Recurrence of pain, neurogenic claudication, and worsening of neurological symptoms was observed in three patients within 24 months. Post-operative radiographs and MRI did not show any changes in the percentage of slip or spinal dimensions. Finally, secondary surgical treatment by decompression with posterolateral fusion was performed in seven patients (58%) within 24 months. In conclusion, the X-Stop interspinous distraction device showed an extremely high failure rate, defined as surgical re-intervention, after short term follow-up in patients with spinal stenosis caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis. We do not recommend the X-Stop for the treatment of spinal stenosis complicating degenerative spondylolisthesis.     

Surgical treatment of symptomatic degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis by decompression and instrumented fusion

Degenerative spondylolisthesis is characterized by the slippage of one vertebral body over the one below, with association of intervertebral disc degeneration and degenerative arthritis of the facet joints, which cause spinal stenosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of 22 patients with symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis, operated on by decompressive laminectomy and instrumented posterolateral fusion associated with interbody fusion (PLIF). Mean age at surgery was 64 years (range, 57–72). Clinical results were evaluated on a questionnaire at the last follow-up visit concerning postoperative low back and leg pain, restriction of daily life activities, and resumption of sports activity. Lumbar spine radiographs were used to evaluate the status of fixation devices, the reduction of the spondylolisthesis, the lumbar sagittal balance and the presence of spinal fusion. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were encountered. There were no superficial or deep infections, fixation device loosening, or hardware removal. Mean follow-up time was 4 years (range, 3–6 years). Clinical outcome was excellent or good in 19 patients and fair in 3 patients. Preoperatively, mean forward vertebral slipping on neutral lateral radiographs was 5 mm, while postoperatively it decreased to 3 mm. Preoperatively, mean sagittal motion was 3 mm and angular motion was 8°, while postoperatively these values decreased to 1 mm and 1°, respectively. This study demonstrated that spinal decompression followed by transpedicular instrumentation associated with PLIF technique is a valid surgical option for the treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis with symptomatic spinal stenosis. Clinical outcome, intended as relief of pain and resumption of activity, was improved significantly and fusion rate was high.     

Lumbar spinal stenosis. Treatment strategies and indications for surgery

Initially, all patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis should be treated conservatively. Rapid deterioration is unlikely. The majority of patients may either improve or remain stable over a long-term follow-up with nonoperative treatment. Surgery should be an elective decision by the patients who fail to improve after conservative treatment. Medical evaluation is mandatory in those elderly patients with frequent comorbidities. For central spinal stenosis, without significant grade I spondylolisthesis or deformity, decompression is the surgical treatment of choice. Iatrogenic instability must be avoided during decompression surgery by preserving the facet joint and the pars interarticularis. Limited decompression with laminotomy may be indicated for lateral canal stenosis. A limited decompression may avoid postoperative instability but is associated with more frequent neurologic sequelae. Postlaminectomy instability is uncommon, and too little decompression is a more frequent mistake than too much. Decompression is usually associated with good or excellent outcome in 80% of patients. Deterioration of initial post-operative improvement may occur over long-term follow-up. When spinal stenosis is associated with instability, degenerative spondylolisthesis, deformity, postoperative instability, or recurrent stenosis, fusion is often recommended. Instrumentation often improves the fusion rate but does not influence the clinical outcome. Generous decompression but selective fusion of the unstable segment only are preferable for degenerative spondylolisthesis and type I degenerative scoliosis with minimal rotation of the spine.     

A novel lumbar total joint replacement may be an improvement over fusion for degenerative lumbar conditions: a comparative analysis of patient-reported outcomes at one year

Background contextEffective alternatives to lumbar fusion for degenerative conditions have remained elusive. Anterior total disc replacement does not address facet pathology or central/recess stenosis, resulting in limited indications. A posterior-based motion-preserving option that allows for neural decompression, facetectomy, and reconstruction of the disc and facets may have a role.PurposeThe purpose was to compare one-year patient-reported outcomes for a novel, all-posterior, lumbar total joint replacement (LTJR – replacing both the disc and facet joints) against transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative lumbar conditions warranting fusion (degenerative spondylolisthesis, recurrent disc herniation, severe foraminal stenosis requiring facet removal, and adjacent segment degeneration).Study design/settingA retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data comparing outcomes for LTJR patients to TLIF patients at an academic teaching hospital.Patient sampleAnalysis was conducted on 156 adult TLIF patients who were propensity matched to the 52 LTJR patients for a total sample of 208.Outcome measuresSelf-reported Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for back and leg pain were compared preoperatively, 3 months and 1 year after surgery.MethodsThe implant is a motion-preserving lumbar reconstruction that replaces the function of both the disc and facets and is implanted using a bilateral transforaminal approach with complete facetectomies. Adult patients with degenerative lumbar pathology undergoing either LTJR or open TLIF were analyzed. These degenerative conditions included: grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis, recurrent disc herniation, adjacent segment disease, disc degeneration with severe foraminal stenosis). Trauma, tumor, grade 2 or higher spondylolisthesis, spinal deformity, and infection cases were excluded. Propensity score matching was performed to ensure parity between the cohorts. Multivariable regression analyses were done to compare the 1-year results as measured by 3 different standards to assess procedure success.ResultsAt 3 months, both the LTJR and TLIF cohorts showed significant and similar improvements in ODI and NRS back and leg pain. At 1 year, the LTJR cohort showed continued improvement in ODI and NRS back pain, while the TLIF group showed a plateau for ODI, back and leg pain. In a series of three multivariable logistic regressions, LTJR was shown to provide 3.3 times greater odds of achieving the minimal clinical symptom state in disability and pain (ODI <20%, NRS back and leg pain <2) and 2.4 and 4.1 times greater odds of achieving substantial clinical benefit (18% reduction in ODI) and minimal clinically important difference (30% reduction in ODI) as compared to TLIF.ConclusionsHere we present a comparative analysis for the first 52 patients undergoing a novel, posterior-based LTJR for the lumbar spine versus TLIF for degenerative pathology. The approach for the LTJR allows for wide neural decompression, facetectomy, and complete discectomy, with the implant working to replace the function of the disc and facets to preserve motion. At 1 year, the LTJR cohort showed significant improvement in ODI and NRS back and leg pain as compared to TLIF. These results suggest that wide neural decompression combined with motion preservation using this novel LTJR may represent a viable alternative to TLIF for treating certain degenerative conditions. A prospective controlled trial is under development to further evaluate the efficacy, safety, and durability of this procedure.     

腰椎管狭窄症伴不稳定性腰椎退变性滑脱的手术治疗

目的　探讨腰椎管狭窄伴不稳定性腰椎退变性滑脱的手术治疗疗效。　方法　回顾性分析 86例腰椎管狭窄伴不稳定性腰椎退变滑脱的手术治疗结果 ,其中男 30例 ,女 5 6例 ,年龄 30～ 77岁 ,平均 5 5 8岁 ,腰痛合并双侧下肢痛 6 3例 ,单侧下肢痛 10例 ;单纯腰痛 13例 ,其中 72例主诉间歇性跛行 ,出现跛行的行走距离 10～ 10 0 0m ,32例合并有足部感觉、运动及反射的改变。本组病例均并存病变节段的腰椎动力性腰椎不稳 ,滑脱Ⅰ° 79例 ,Ⅱ° 7例。术前CT检查 5 6例 ,MRI检查 2 4例 ,MRM检查 6例 ,术前同时行脊髓造影 6 1例 ,CTM检查 12例。狭窄并滑脱的节段 :L4 549例 ,L3 46例 ,L5 S12 5例 ,L3 4、L4 52例 ,L3 S14例。单纯侧隐窝狭窄 10例 ,双侧侧隐窝狭窄 2 2例 ,中央椎管狭窄 5 4例 ;合并椎间盘突出 12例。所有的患者均经手术减压、植骨融合及不同的内固定治疗。　结果　患者均经 8个月～ 13年的随访 ,其中随访 1年以上者 81例 (平均 5 6年 )。本组优 78例 ,良 5例 ,可 3例。滑脱完全复位Ⅰ° 70例 (89 9% ) ,Ⅱ° 6例 (85 7% )。随访过程中无滑脱加重患者 ,3个月内植骨融合者 74例 ,6个月内植骨融合 10例 ,出现假关节 2例。术后发生内固定断裂 1例 ,晚发感染 1例。结论　减压和脊柱固定可改善腰椎管     

通用型脊柱椎弓根内固定系统治疗腰椎滑脱的临床研究

目的 观察自行研制的通用型脊柱内固定系统用于退行性腰椎滑脱患者手术治疗的疗效。方法 16例退行性腰椎滑脱合并椎管狭窄的患者,均接受了通用型脊柱内固定系统手术治疗。其中男10例,女6例。平均年龄58．5岁(42～72岁)。术前Ⅰ度滑脱10例,Ⅱ度滑脱6例,术后定期随访记录患者的症状改善、滑脱复位程度及并发症等情况。结果 16例患者术后平均随访21．2个月(18～24个月),术后即刻及末次随访时X线摄片显示滑脱腰椎均完全复位,于末次随访时15例患者术前临床症状均消失,滑脱复位满意且无丢失,后外侧植骨融合术后及随访过程中未发现与植入物或手术相关的并发症。结论 初步结果显示,通用型脊柱内固定系统用于腰椎滑脱的手术治疗可获得满意的滑椎复位效果和良好临床疗效。     

Radiographic evaluation of posterolateral lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis: long-term follow-up of more than 10 years vs. midterm follow-up of 2-5 years.

Although posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine without instrumentation has been widely performed for spinal instability caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine, few long-term follow-up studies have been reported. We studied ten patients who underwent posterolateral fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine without instrumentation in our hospital, five of whom were followed up for more than 10 years and the other five for 2-5 years. We used radiography to examine their fusion status, instability and degenerative changes at the fusion level, change in the slip, change in lumbar lordosis, and instability and degenerative changes one level above and one level below the fusion. In most of the ten patients, radiographic evaluation demonstrated solid fusion, minimal degenerative changes, and preservation of lumbar lordosis and spinal mobility. Posterolateral lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine seems promising for obtaining not only good radiographic features but also good clinical results lasting over more than 10 years.     

Clinical and radiographic results of expansive lumbar laminoplasty in patients with spinal stenosis

BACKGROUND: In 1981, we developed a technique of expansive lumbar laminoplasty to alleviate the problems of conventional laminectomy in the treatment of spinal stenosis. The purposes of this study were to assess the long-term outcome following expansive lumbar laminoplasty and to investigate the postoperative problems. METHODS: Fifty-four patients underwent expansive lumbar laminoplasty for the treatment of spinal stenosis. There were forty-three men and eleven women with a mean age of 52.6 years. The average length of follow-up was 5.5 years. Preoperatively, twenty-five patients had degenerative stenosis; thirteen, stenosis due to spondylolisthesis; twelve, combined stenosis (disc herniation and stenosis); and six, hyperostotic stenosis. (Two patients with hyperostotic stenosis and spondylolisthesis were included in both groups.) The clinical results were assessed with use of the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, and the rate of recovery was calculated. Radiographic findings were analyzed on the basis of the cross-sectional area of the spinal canal, kyphosis, range of motion of the lumbar spine, and the rate of interlaminar fusion. RESULTS: The average recovery rate at the time of the last follow-up was 69.2% for patients with degenerative stenosis, 66.5% for patients with combined stenosis, 65.2% for those with hyperostotic stenosis, and 54.7% for those with spondylolisthesis. The factors resulting in a poor recovery were an older age and insufficient decompression of the lateral stenosis. During the follow-up period, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score became worse for seven patients, six patients had lesions develop at the level adjacent to the laminoplasty, and five patients had spondylolisthesis develop. Interlaminar fusion was observed in twenty-two patients (41%). CONCLUSIONS: The satisfactory results of expansive lumbar laminoplasty were maintained at an average of 5.5 years after surgery. The best indications for the lumbar laminoplasty procedure were young and active patients with central spinal stenosis.     

Lumbar Spine Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Conditions: Current Indications and Recommendations

The role of arthrodesis in the treatment of degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine is controversial. Most patients with these conditions can be successfully treated nonoperatively. Lumbar fusion, with or without instrumentation, is associated with more complications, especially in the elderly population. Therefore, the potential benefits to be obtained by means of arthrodesis must be measured against the risks. Arthrodesis is indicated as an adjunct to decompression for patients with spinal stenosis associated with degenerative or iatrogenic spondylolisthesis and in the treatment of progressive degenerative lumbar scoliosis and iatrogenic instability resulting from extensive decompression. The occurrence of two or more episodes of disk herniation at the same segment is a relative indication for arthrodesis. In patients with incapacitating nonradicular back pain, arthrodesis should be a consideration only after failure of a trial of nonoperative treatment lasting more than 12 months and after secondary gain issues (e.g., workmen's compensation) have been adequately resolved. Arthrodesis has a poor success rate when used to treat back pain associated with multilevel disk degeneration seen on magnetic resonance images.     

Stand-alone anterior lumbar discectomy and fusion with plate: initial experience

BACKGROUND: The stability of the lumbar spine after ALIF with lateral plate fixation and/or posterior fixation has previously been investigated; however, stand-alone ALDF with plate has not. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated poor fusion rates with stand-alone anterior interbody fusion in the absence of posterior instrumentation. We review our initial experience with stand-alone ALDF with segmental plate fixation for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and compare these results with our experience with traditional ALIF and supplemental posterior instrumentation. METHODS: Forty-nine patients treated at the University of California, San Francisco between 2002 and 2005 were included in this analysis. The study was retrospective in nature. All patients presented with discogram-positive back pain and had failed conservative treatment. Twenty-four patients underwent ALDF with plate, and 25 underwent ALIF with posterior instrumentation. Patients underwent flexion/extension imaging at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. All patients completed ODI and VAS questionnaires at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 11.6 and 21.7 months in the ALDF with plate and ALIF with instrumentation groups, respectively. All patients demonstrated radiographic evidence of fusion at last follow-up. None developed instability at the fusion level, and none developed hardware failure (plate back-out, screw lucency, etc). Average subsidence at 6 months postoperatively was 2.2 and 2.5 mm, respectively. The VAS and ODI scores are presented in Tables 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results of stand-alone ALDF with plate suggest it may be safe and effective for the surgical treatment of patients with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. Long-term follow-up is clearly needed. Subsidence is diminished with ALDF and plating compared with ALIF with posterior instrumentation. It is unclear at this time which subset of patients may ultimately require posterior hardware supplementation, but those with circumferential stenosis or severe facet disease are not ideal candidates for ALDF with plate. For some patients in whom lumbar arthroplasty is not indicated, or as a salvage procedure, ALDF with plate may be a satisfactory alternative and may eliminate the need for a supplemental posterior procedure.     

Surgical management of lumbar degenerative spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis via posterior reduction with minimal laminectomy

Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis is commonly treated with laminectomy. Recent reports have consistently supported the incremental clinical benefit of associated in situ arthrodesis with or without instrumentation. Resection of the lamina may result in intraoperative dural tear or epidural scar formation. Fifty-six consecutive patients with back pain, neuroclaudication, or both, in addition to degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis, underwent a surgical procedure that incorporated fusion after reduction of the spondylolisthesis deformity with preservation of the lamina and the balance of the posterior elements. Clinical records were reviewed and patients interviewed at a mean of 33 months after surgery. Oswestry Disability Index scores were obtained independently at baseline and at a late review. Late imaging was available a mean of 28 months after operation. Clinical and imaging analyses and Oswestry scoring confirmed results comparable to the published outcomes of in situ fusion after formal laminectomy. Resection of the lamina may not be necessary in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with spondylolisthesis.     

Management of cervical and lumbar stenosis]

Spinal stenosis is most common in elderly patients and is defined as narrowing of the spinal canal and (or) lateral nerve root canals. The underlying processes leading to spinal stenosis are degenerative changes in facet joints and intervertebral discs and buckling of the ligamentum flavum. Spinal stenosis can occur in both the cervical and the lumbar spine. Cervical stenosis mayleat to the development of radiculopathy and (or) myelopathy. The majority of patients respond to nonoperative management. Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis presents with back and (or) leg paints of valuing severity and duration. Nonoperative treatment associated with lumbar spinal stenosis consists of restituting and avoiding those maneuvers that reproduce pain. Surgical treatment of cervical and lumbar stenosis includes decompressive lamine ctomy, often fusion and instrumentation.     

Radiographic evaluation of posterolateral lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis: long-term follow-up of more than 10 years vs. midterm follow-up of 2–5 years

Although posterolateral fusion of the lumbar spine without instrumentation has been widely performed for spinal instability caused by degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine, few long-term follow-up studies have been reported. We studied ten patients who underwent posterolateral fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine without instrumentation in our hospital, five of whom were followed up for more than 10 years and the other five for 2–5 years. We used radiography to examine their fusion status, instability and degenerative changes at the fusion level, change in the slip, change in lumbar lordosis, and instability and degenerative changes one level above and one level below the fusion. In most of the ten patients, radiographic evaluation demonstrated solid fusion, minimal degenerative changes, and preservation of lumbar lordosis and spinal mobility. Posterolateral lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine seems promising for obtaining not only good radiographic features but also good clinical results lasting over more than 10 years. Electronic Publication     

Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screw system for various spinal disorders. Merits and problems.

Eighty-five consecutive patients with various spinal disorders who underwent surgery using the Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screw system at Kantoh Rosai Hospital between August 1986 and November 1989 were studied. The group included 52 men and 33 women, ranging in age from 19 to 76 years, with an average age of 53 years. The postoperative follow-up period was from 15 to 54 months, with an average of 33 months. The diagnoses were lumbar degenerative disorders in 69 cases (spondylolisthesis in 32, lumbar degenerative spinal canal stenosis without spondylolisthesis in 21, and "unstable lumbar spine" in 16), spinal trauma in 9, spinal deformities in 5 (scoliosis in 3 and kyphosis in 2), and tumor in 2 (1 spinal cord tumor and 1 vertebral tumor). The Cotrel-Dubousset pedicle screw system proved not only to be useful in fixing an unstable spine from the lower thoracic vertebra to the sacrum, as is the case with the other pedicle screw systems, but also to have great advantages for use in various spinal disorders, including reduction of slipped vertebra, correction of spinal deformity combined with a hook system, and for anterior spinal instrumentation. Postoperative clinical results were good in most of the cases, but pseudarthrosis considerably affected the results in a few cases. Therefore, great care must be taken, both strategically and technically, to prevent pseudarthrosis.     

Functional outcome of surgical treatment for multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus regarding the best treatment of patients with multilevel lumbar stenosis. We evaluated the clinical and radiological findings in 41 patients with complex degenerative spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine who were treated surgically. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2003, 41 patients suffering from degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were included in a prospective clinical study. The spinal stenosis was multilevel in all patients and in 13 of them there was degenerative scoliosis, in 18 there was degenerative spondylolisthesis, and in 10 there was segmental instability. Plain radiographs, MRI and/or CT myelograms were obtained preoperatively. The patients were assessed clinically with the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS). Surgery included wide posterior decompression and fusion using a trans-pedicular instrumentation system and bone graft. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 3.7 (1-6) years, the patients' clinical improvement on the ODI and VAS was statistically significant. Recurrent stenosis was not observed, and 39 of 41 patients were satisfied with the outcome. 3 patients with improvement initially had later surgery because of instability. INTERPRETATION: The above-mentioned technique gives good and long lasting clinical results, when selection of patients is done carefully and when the spinal levels that are to be decompressed are selected accurately.     

Microscopic anterior foraminal decompression combined with anterior lumbar interbody fusion

Background context

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPF) provides successful surgical outcomes to isthmic spondylolisthesis patients with indirect decompression through foraminal volume expansion. However, indirect decompression through ALIF followed by PPF may not obtain a successful surgical outcome in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte or foraminal sequestrated disc herniation. Thus far, there has been no report of foraminal decompression through anterior direct access in the lumbar spine.

Purpose

This study aims to describe the new surgical technique of microscopic anterior foraminal decompression and to analyze the clinical outcomes and radiologic results of the microscopic anterior decompression during ALIF followed by PPF.

Study design/Setting

We conducted a multisurgeon, retrospective, clinical series from a single institution.

Patient sample

This study was carried out from March 2007 to July 2010 and included 40 consecutive patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by posterior osteophyte or foraminal sequestrated disc herniation undergoing microscopic anterior foraminal decompression during ALIF followed by PPF.

Outcome measures

The visual analog scales (VAS) of back and leg pain and the Oswestry disability index were measured preoperatively and at the last follow-up.

Methods

Postoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging measured whether decompression of neural structure had been made and morphometric change of the foramen and the amount of resected bone. Moreover, segmental lordosis, whole lumbar lordosis, disc height, and degree of listhesis were measured through X-ray examination before the operation and at the last follow-up; we also verified whether fusion had been achieved.

Results

Successful decompression was confirmed in both patients with foraminal stenosis caused by posterior osteophyte and those with foraminal sequestrated disc herniation. Clinically, compared with before the surgery, the VAS (leg and back) and the Oswestry disability index significantly decreased at the last follow-up (p=.000). With regard to radiology, at the last follow-up all patients had bone fusion on X-ray examination, and an increase in disc height, a reduction in the degree of listhesis, an increase in segmental lordosis, and an increase in whole lumbar lordosis were significant in both groups (p=.000) compared with before the surgery. Foraminal volume, foraminal width, and foraminal height also significantly increased postoperatively compared with before the operation (p=.000). The height, width, and dimension of resected body were 4.61±1.05 mm, 7.92±1.42 mm, 17.15±4.96 mm², respectively, in patients with foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte, and 3.88±0.92 mm, 6.8±1.29 mm, and 13.12±2.25 mm², respectively, in patients with foraminal sequestrated disc.

Conclusions

The microscopic anterior foraminal approach provides successful foraminal decompression. Combined with ALIF and PPF, this approach shows a good surgical outcome in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis accompanied by foraminal stenosis caused by a posterior osteophyte or those with foraminal sequestrated disc herniation.     

单纯斜外侧椎间融合术在腰椎退行性疾病中的应用

目的探讨单纯斜外侧椎间融合术(OLIF)治疗腰椎退行性疾病的临床效果。方法采用OLIF治疗35例腰椎退行性疾病患者。采用疼痛VAS评分和ODI评分评估临床疗效;行腰椎X线、CT和MR检查,评价术后影像学改善程度;记录并发症情况。结果手术时间56~110(77±23)min。术中出血量30~180(63±35)ml。术后住院时间3~7(4.5±2.1)d。术后患者腰腿疼痛症状明显缓解。患者均获得随访,时间6~32个月。术后6个月VAS评分、ODI评分、椎间隙高度和椎间孔面积均较术前明显改善(P<0.001)。术后并发症发生率为20.0%(7/35):3例融合器沉降,二期联合后路肌间隙入路椎弓根螺钉固定;1例术侧腰大肌无力,1例术侧大腿前侧疼痛,1例对侧屈髋疼痛,1例术侧交感链损伤症状,4例随访过程中症状均缓解或消失。结论OLIF作为一种脊柱外科新技术,可获得良好的近期疗效,其远期疗效有待进一步观察。     

脊柱内镜减压治疗高龄腰椎退变性脊柱侧凸合并神经根管狭窄

目的探讨局麻下脊柱内镜减压治疗高龄腰椎退变性脊柱侧凸合并神经根管狭窄的疗效。方法局部麻醉下经椎间孔入路,从背侧和腹侧减压受压神经根。术后症状改善采用下肢痛视觉疼痛模拟评分(Visual Analogue Scale,VAS)和Oswestry功能障碍指数(Oswestry Disability Index,ODI)评估,手术疗效采用改良MacNab标准评估。结果术中1例硬膜撕裂,术后出现随体位变化的疼痛不适感,3周后症状改善。12例侧凸腰椎冠状面Cobb角39.3°±6.8°。12例随访(19.4±3.4)月。下肢痛VAS评分从术前(6.5±1.2)分,改善为末次随访(1.2±0.9)分(P=0.000)。ODI从术前(67.5±6.1)%,改善为末次随访(29.0±6.6)%(P=0.000)。末次随访改良MacNab标准优良率为83.3%(10/12)。结论高龄退变性腰椎侧凸合并神经根管狭窄的处理需要考虑患者自身条件,局麻脊柱内镜下减压能够有效缓解神经压迫症状,改善生活质量,是一种可供选择且安全有效的方法。