5 key notes on posterior spinal fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis: Is TLIF necessary?

Spine

A new study published in Spine examines whether transformational lateral interbody fusion makes an impact for patients undergoing surgery for one-level lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis with the posterior approach.

The study authors conducted an open-label randomized controlled trial at a single center comparing the isolated instrumented posterior fusion and associated instrumented posterior fusion and transformational lumbar interbody fusion approach. There were 60 patients included in the study, with 30 patients in each group. The study authors found:

 

1. Both groups reported significant improvement in pain and disability.

 

2. There wasn't a difference in the improvement reported in each group.

 

3. The posterolateral fusion rate was better for the TLIF patients, according to the radiographic assessment. However, there wasn't superiority in segmental lordosis improvement.

 

4. At baseline among the PLF patients there was a case of deformity cascade with spino-pelvic mismatch, according to the study abstract.

 

5. The study authors concluded, "Posterior decompression and instrumented fusion is an efficient technique that proved its significant clinical benefit in the surgical treatment of DS." The results showed TLIF isn't mandatory for the degenerative spondylolisthesis indication.

 

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