J Korean Soc Spine Surg. 2011 Dec;18(4):230-238. Korean.
Published online Dec 31, 2011.
© Copyright 2011 Korean Society of Spine Surgery
Original Article

Efficacy of Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion using PEEK Cage and Pedicle Screw Stabilization in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Disorders - Minimum 3 Years Follow up Results -

Kyung-Jin Song, M.D., Kwang-Bok Lee, M.D., and Dong-Hun Ham, M.D.
    • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Korea.
Received May 02, 2011; Revised October 26, 2011; Accepted November 07, 2011.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Study Design

A retrospective study.

Objectives

To evaluate the three-plus year follow-up results of patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK cage and pedicle screw fixation for lumbar degenerative disease.

Summary of Literature Review

There are few previous reports addressing posterior lumbar interbody fusion using PEEK cage with mid-term follow up periods.

Materials and Methods

260 patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK cage and pedicle screw fixation for lumbar degenerative disease were enrolled. We classified patients into three groups according to their fusion level: group A (n=151) had one-level fusion, and group B (n=91) had two-level fusion, and group C (n=18) had three-level fusion. Clinical outcomes were evaluated by pre- and post-operative Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and complication and reoperation rates. Radiologic outcomes were measured by the fusion rate, sagittal alignment, disc height and changes.

Results

VAS (pre-operative to final follow-up) changed from 7.62±2.03 (5-10) to 3.19±1.94 (1-8) in group A, from 6.83±2.28(4-9) to 4.51±2.18(2-9) in group B and from 7.17±2.46 (5-10) to 4.63±1.97(1-9) in group C. Final follow-up ODI also decreased in group A (17.6±8.56%), group B (15.4±5.46%) and group C (24.7±7.46%). This corresponds to scores of 94.7% in group A, 92.3% in group B and 94.4% in group C. There were significant differences between preoperative, post-operative and final follow-up lumbar lordosis [p=0.042(group A), 0.036(group B), 0.045(group C)], segmental lordosis [p=0.036(group A), 0.039(group B), 0.047(group C)]. Reoperation was performed in patients 8 group A, 4 group B, and 1 group C, and there is no significant diffrence between groups. Adjacent segmental change was found in all reoperation patients, but showed no correlation with clinical results.

Conclusions

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK cage and pedicle screw fixation in lumbar degenerative disease showed excellent clinical results and fusion rates, regardless of patient fusion levels.

Keywords
Lumbar degenerative disease; Posterior lumbar interbody fusion; Pedicle screw; PEEK cage

Figures

Fig. 1
A 69-year-old female presented with back pain, sciatica and neurogenic claudication. (A) Plain lateral radiograph shows degenerative changes on L4-5 lumbar disc space. (B) T2-weighted MRI(sagittal,axial view) shows that dural sac was compressed by extruded disc material and hypertrophied ligamentum flavum on L4-5. (C) Postoperative radiograph shows posterior lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK cage and pedicle screw fixation on L4-5. (D) 3 years after surgery, radiograph shows solid fusion mass on L4-5.

Fig. 2
A 61-year-old female presented with back pain and sciatica. (A) Plain lateral radiograph shows degenerative changes and isthmic spondylolisthesis on L4-5 lumbar disc space. (B) T2-weighted MRI(sagittal,axial view) shows spinal stenosis and on L3-4 and L4-5. (C) Postoperative radiograph shows posterior lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK cage and pedicle screw fixation on L3-4 and L4-5. (D,E) 2 years after surgery, radiograph shows adjacent segmental degeneration on L1-2 and L2-3. (F) Revision surgery was performed.

Tables

Table 1
Demography of Patients

Table 2
Changes of disc height, Lumbar lordosis, segmental lordosis, visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI)

Table 3
Complications and revision surgery

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