The Results & Affecting Factors of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with TPM Cages in Spondylolisthesis

Chung, Jae Yoon; Seo, Hyoung Yeon; Kim, Jong Seon

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing the results of posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF) with TPM cages in spondylolisthesis
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, radiologic results & affecting factors of PLIF with TPM cages in spondylolisthesis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The ordinary PLIF has 86-98% of radiologic union rate and clinical satisfactory rate. The problems of ordinary PLIF were graft breakage, donor site morbidity, limited bone resources, high failure rate using only transpedicular screw fixation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From October 1995 to January 1999, 108 consecutive patients with spondylolisthesis were treated by PLIF with TPM cages, in which morcellized bone chips salvaged from posterior neural arch applied, and pedicle screw fixation.
RESULTS
Preoperative Low Back Pain score(total 100 points) was improved from 47.4 points to 88.7 points at last follow-up. 10 point visual analogue scale was reduced to 1.5 point at last follow-up. In the end results, Ninty-two percent of patients rated as excellent or good. The preoperative value of slippage, 18.6% was achieved to 5.5% at last follow-up. The anterior intervertebral disc space height was increased from 10.0 to 16.2mm postoperatively. Fusion occurred in all patients except one. Groups below 60-year-old patient at the time of surgery showed better clinical results than those above 60 (p<0.05). No clear correlations were noted between sex, the types of spondylolisthesis, bone mineral density, smoking habits and obesity in clinical, radiologic results.
CONCLUSION
PLIF with TPM cages is appeared to be a recommended procedure of choice to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis and this operation should be performed with a caution in aged patients.