Clinical Effect Of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Combined With Unilateral Pedicle Fixation On Elderly Lumbar Degenerative Diseases

Objective\r\nTo analyze the clinical effect of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) in combination with unilateral pedicle fixation on lumbar degenerative diseases in the elderly.\r\n\r\n\r\nMethods\r\nFrom June 2011 and June 2013, 51 elderly patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent MI-TLIF in combination with unilateral pedicle fixation, including 39 males and 12 females, aged from 60 to 72 years (average 65 years old), were included in this study. All the 51 cases had mono-segmental lesion, including 11 cases with the lesion in L3, 4, 22 cases with the lesion in L4, 5, and 18 cases with the lesion in L5-S1. The operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage and complications were recorded. Postoperative outpatient follow-ups were conducted once every 2-3 months for all cases, and JOA scoring criteria (29 points) of lower back pain were adopted to evaluate the clinical effects. Thin-layer helical CT scanning reconstruction was applied to evaluate the fusion rate of bone grafting. X-ray film of lumbar vertebra AP \u0026 LAT was employed to evaluate the intervertebral space height, the internal fixation and the position of cage.\r\n\r\n\r\nResults\r\nThe operation time ranged between 50-90 min with a mean value of 65 min; blood loss ranged between 80-180 ml (average 110 ml); and postoperative drainage volume ranged between 20-70 ml (average 40 ml). Healing phase I was achieved in 49 cases, while post-operative local cutaneous necrosis around the incision site occurred in 2 case and the wound healed well after wound dressing. Dural laceration without nerve root injury occurred in 2 cases. The follow-up in 51 patients ranged between 18-24 months (average 20 months). In terms of JOA scoring, the preoperative score was(9.7±1.6), the post-operative score was (21.4±1.4)7 d after operation and the score was (25.4±1.2)in the final follow-up. During the final follow-up, 35 cases were evaluated as excellent, 11 cases as good and 5 cases as moderate, the excellent and good rate was 90.2%, and the fusion rate of bone grafting was 88.2%. The intervertebral space height ranged from (9.2±1.5) mm before operation to (11.2±1.3) mm 7 d after operation, to (11.0±1.2) mm in the final follow-up. There were significant difference in intervertebral space height before and after operation (both P 0.05). Looseness, fracture or cage displacement were not observed.\r\n\r\n\r\nConclusions\r\nThe clinical effect of MI-TLIF in combination with unilateral pedicle fixation on lumbar degenerative diseases in the elderly is satisfied. It has the advantages of high fusion rate, less trauma, quicker recoverer, higher cost-effectiveness and convenience. However, the indications for operation should be restricted and the long-term curative effect remains to be studied in further clinical studies.\r\n\r\n\r\nKey words: \r\nSpinal fusion; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive; Intervertebral disk displacement