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Extreme lateral interbody fusion offers positive outcomes, few complications
Extreme lateral interbody fusion demonstrated positive clinical outcomes with a low complication rate at midterm follow-up, according to a study.
Researchers retrospectively collected demographic and perioperative data for patients who underwent extreme lateral interbody fusion (ELIF) for degenerative lumbar disorders between 2007 and 2011 at one institution.
To determine the radiological outcome, the researchers measured the coronal Cobb angle, lumbar sagittal lordosis, and bilateral foraminal and disc heights preoperatively, immediately postoperatively and at latest follow-up. They also evaluated clinical outcomes using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), VAS pain score and Macnab criteria. Mean follow-up was 12.6 months for radiological outcome and 17.6 months for clinical outcome.
One hundred forty-five vertebral levels in 90 patients were treated with ELIF. Pedicle screw and rod constructs were used in 77% of patients to fix stabilization, and 13% of patients received lateral plates, according to the researchers.
At 12.6 months follow-up, the coronal Cobb angle decreased to 10.6° compared with 23.8° preoperatively, and the lumbar sagittal lordosis increased by 5.3° postoperatively and by 2.9° at the latest follow-up. Foraminal height increased by 4 mm, and disc height increased by 3.3 mm, and both remained significantly improved at follow-up, the researchers found.
At 17.6 months, ODI and VAS pain scores improved, and 84.8% of patients had excellent, good or fair functional outcomes according to the Macnab criteria.
Complication rates were low, with 4% of patients experiencing new thigh numbness and 2.2% of patients experiencing weakness; however, all but one case had resolution by 3 months after surgery.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.