The researchers assessed medical records of 221 patients who received thoracolumbar fusion between 2003 and 2013 at one institution with two years follow-up.
Patients underwent one of the following surgeries:
• Posterior spinal fixation only
• Posterior approach combined with lateral lumbar interbody fusion
• Posterior approach combined with anterior lumbar interbody fusion
The study looked into radiographic data, complications and health-related quality-of-life outcomes scores. Journal of Neurosurgery published the study.
Here are four takeaways:
1. The radiographic parameters and the mean number of complications were comparable among the three surgical groups at follow-up.
2. The three groups saw similar preoperative health-related quality-of-life outcomes scores.
3. The LLIF+PSF patients did not experience proximal junctional kyphosis requiring revision surgery as much as the other two groups. This group also saw fewer proximal junctional fractures and vertebral slips.
4. The LLIF+PSF patients also saw a significantly lower Oswestry Disability Index score and higher Scoliosis Research Society 22-question Questionnaire self-image/total scores.
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