J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2000 Mar;7(1):77-82.

Comparision of Lumbar Lordosis According to Different Operative Positions

• Choi CH
• Koh YD
• Kim DJ
• Kim JO

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A study was designed to compare lumbar lordosis in different positions.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to document the changes of segmental and total lumbar lordosis in common operative positions of lumbar spine. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: It is very important to maintain physiologic lumbar lordosis in instrumentation of lumbar spine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty-six asymptomatic volunteers underwent a series of four lateral lumbar radiographs ; standing, prone on chest roll and prone on Wilson spine table with hip flexion of 60 and 20 degree. Lumbar lordosis and segmental lordotic angle were compared and analyzed regarding to positions. Lordosis in stading position was assumed to be physiologic.
RESULTS
In chest roll position, physiologic lordosis was preserved, but segmental lordotic angles of L3-L4 and L4-L5 significantly decreased compared with those in standing position. Total lumbar lordosis in the Wilson table with hip flexion of 60 degree and 20 degree was decreased 42% and 22%, respectively. In Wilson table, segmental lordotic angles of L1-L2, L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 were significantly decreased compared with those in standing position.
CONCLUSIONS
Physiologic lordosis was preserved only under chest roll. Segmental lordotic angles of L5-S1 was not influenced by positions.

Keyword

Lumbar lordosis; Intraoperative position

MeSH Terms

Animals
Hip
Lordosis*
Spine
Thorax
Volunteers