Yonsei Med J.  1999 Jun;40(3):256-264. 10.3349/ymj.1999.40.3.256.

Anterior interbody fusion in the treatment of the lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus

• Kim NH

• KMID: 711646
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.1999.40.3.256

Abstract

One hundred and fourteen cases of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus were studied retrospectively. I reviewed the clinical records and radiographs of patients treated with diskectomy and anterior interbody fusion. I followed the patients from 2 years up to 15 years, for an average of 2.9 years. The results were calculated statistically by Fisher exact test and Chi-square test. Among 114 patients, 69 patients (60.5%) were male and 45 patients (39.5%) were female. The most common age group was in its twenties (28.1%), while the whole study group ranged from 19 to 65 years. The most commonly involved level was L4-5 (73 cases, 60.4%). In clinical results, 83.3% of cases were excellent or good. The rate of solid fusion was 87.8%. The most common type of fusing pattern was type 1. The satisfying clinical result had statistical correlation with the solid union of grafted bone and the fusion state of maintained intervertebral disk height, respectively, by Fisher exact test (p < 0.001). The affecting factors in clinical results were the solid fusion and fusion with the state of maintenance of intervertebral disk height (fusing pattern type I and II). I concluded that anterior diskectomy and interbody fusion is a recommendable method of treatment for lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus.

Keyword

Lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus; surgical treatment; anterior interbody fusion

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Female
Human
Intervertebral Disk Displacement/surgery*
Intervertebral Disk Displacement/radiography
Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery*
Lumbar Vertebrae/radiography
Male
Middle Age
Myelography
Postoperative Complications
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Fusion/methods*
Treatment Outcome