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Lateral interbody fusion provides less blood loss in treatment of adjacent-segment stenosis
Minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion has less complications and results in less blood loss in the treatment of patients with adjacent-segment stenosis and spondylosis, according to recently published data.
The 30-month study included 21 patients who underwent successful minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion for adjacent-segment stenosis and spondylosis. Mean patient age was 61 years and the mean follow-up was 23.6 months. Four patients had two adjacent levels fused.
Researchers found leg pain and back pain scores improved in all patients. The leg pain numeric pain scale (NPS) scores improved from a mean of 6.3 to 1.9. Back pain NPS scores improved from a mean of 7.5 to 2.9. There were no major complications in any patients, and all patients had solid bony fusion on CT follow-up scans.
The researchers concluded that lateral interbody fusion following a previous lumbosacral fusion provides a good alternative from the traditional revision posterior approach, with less complications and less blood loss for patients.
Disclosure: Wang is a consultant for and receives royalties from DePuy Spine and is also a consultant for Aesculap Spine.