scholarly journals Full-Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion Outcomes in Patients with Minimal Deformities: A Retrospective Study of Data Collected Between 2011 and 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (22;1) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Kamson

Background: Open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is the gold standard treatment for back pain due to degenerative disc disease and lumbar instability. Traditional open TLIF has been associated with extensive tissue dissection, excessive blood loss, and slow recovery time. Full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (FE-TLIF) is an evolving treatment. Objectives: This study aims to review outcomes of FE-TLIF performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) on patients with advanced disc disease with minimal spinal deformity. Study Design: This study employed a retrospective cohort design. Methods: This Western Institutional Review Board-approved study (#1-925640-1) assessed blood loss, operative time (OR time), post anesthesia care unit time (PACU time), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) of 85 patients who underwent FE-TLIF between 2011 and 2015 and were followed up for 12 months. Relationships between risk factors (demographics, clinical presentation) and outcomes were analyzed. Results: No intraoperative complications were observed. There were 2 cases of postoperative sympathetically mediated pain and 3 reoperations. The number of decompression/fusion levels was crucial to OR time but had a smaller impact on PACU time. OR time for patients with 2-level fusion was 110 minutes longer than for those with one level operation. BMI and age had no significant effect on OR time. BMI had a modest effect on PACU time. Gender and age did not affect PACU time. A significant decrease in VAS was observed. Limitations: This study has several limitations, including the lack of a control group and reliance on patient-reported outcomes (VAS). In addition, fusion rate and global sagittal alignment were not measured. Although not statistically significant, the use of facet screws, unilateral, or bilateral pedicle screws presented variation in techniques within the group. Early recovery also diminished the incentive for long-term follow-up. Conclusion: FE-TLIF is a feasible technique for lumbar stabilization surgery in an ASC in select patients. This level-II study demonstrates safety in a variety of clinical presentations, including obesity, extremes of age, and anatomical access challenge. Larger clinical series are necessary to validate this technique, particularly for the treatment of patients with advanced spinal deformities. Key words: Full-endoscopic, minimally invasive spine surgery, postoperative complications, TLIF, lumbar fusion, low back pain

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (4) ◽  
pp. E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Paul G. Kolcun ◽  
G. Damian Brusko ◽  
Gregory W. Basil ◽  
Richard Epstein ◽  
Michael Y. Wang

OBJECTIVEOpen spinal fusion surgery is often associated with significant blood loss, postoperative pain, and prolonged recovery times. Seeking to minimize surgical and perioperative morbidity, the authors adopted an endoscopic minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) technique performed without general anesthesia. In this report, they present data on the first 100 patients treated with this procedure.METHODSThe authors conducted a retrospective review of the first 100 patients who underwent awake endoscopic MIS-TLIF at a single institution between 2014 and 2017. Surgery was performed while the patient was sedated but without intubation or the use of general anesthetic or narcotic agents. Long-lasting (liposomal) bupivacaine was used for local analgesia. The discectomy and placement of an expandable interbody graft were performed endoscopically, followed by percutaneous pedicle screw implantation. Inclusion criteria for the procedure consisted of diagnosis of degenerative disc disease with grade I or II spondylolisthesis and evidence of spinal stenosis or nerve impingement with intractable symptomatology.RESULTSOf the first 100 patients, 56 were female and 44 were male. Single-level fusion was performed in 84 patients and two-level fusion in 16 patients. The most commonly fused level was L4–5, representing 77% of all fused levels. The mean (± standard deviation) operative time was 84.5 ± 21.7 minutes for one-level fusions and 128.1 ± 48.6 minutes for two-level procedures. The mean intraoperative blood loss was 65.4 ± 76.6 ml for one-level fusions and 74.7 ± 33.6 ml for two-level fusions. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.4 ± 1.0 days. Four deaths occurred in the 100 patients; all four of those patients died from complications unrelated to surgery. In 82% of the surviving patients, 1-year follow-up Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) data were available. The mean preoperative ODI score was 29.6 ± 15.3 and the mean postoperative ODI score was 17.2 ± 16.9, which represents a significant mean reduction in the ODI score of −12.3 using a two-tailed paired t-test (p = 0.000001). In four cases, the surgical plan was revised to include general endotracheal anesthesia intraoperatively and was successfully completed. Other complications included two cases of cage migration, one case of osteomyelitis, and one case of endplate fracture; three of these complications occurred in the first 50 cases.CONCLUSIONSThis series of the first 100 patients to undergo awake endoscopic MIS-TLIF demonstrates outcomes comparable to those reported in our earlier papers. This procedure can provide a safe and efficacious option for lumbar fusion with less morbidity than open surgery. Further refinements in surgical technique and technologies will allow for improved success.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arvind G. Kulkarni ◽  
Shashidhar Bangalore Kantharajanna ◽  
Abhilash N. Dhruv

<sec><title>Study Design</title><p>Retrospective case series.</p></sec><sec><title>Purpose</title><p>To compare minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) outcomes in primary and revision surgeries.</p></sec><sec><title>Overview of Literature</title><p>Revision spinal fusion is often associated with an increased risk of approach-related complications. Patients can potentially benefit from the decreased approach-related morbidity associated with MI-TLIF.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>Sixty consecutive MI-TLIF patients (20 failed back [Fa group], 40 primary [Pr group]) who underwent surgery between January 2011 and May 2012 were reviewed after Institutional Review Board approval to compare operative times, blood loss, complications, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for back and leg pain before surgery and at the last follow-up.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Nineteen revision surgeries were compared with 36 primary surgeries. One failed back and four primary patients were excluded because of inadequate data. The mean follow-up times were 28 months and 24 months in the Pr and Fa groups, respectively. The mean pre- and postoperative ODI scores were 53.18 and 20.23 in the Pr group and 52.01 and 25.72 in the Fa group, respectively (ODI percentage change: Pr group, 60.36%±29.73%; Fa group, 69.32%±13.72%; <italic>p</italic>=0.304, not significant). The mean pre- and postoperative VAS scores for back pain were 4.77 and 1.75 in the Pr group and 4.1 and 2.0 in the Fa group, respectively, and the percentage changes were statistically significant (VAS back pain percentage change: Pr group, 48.78±30.91; Fa group, 69.32±13.72; <italic>p</italic>=0.027). The mean pre- and postoperative VAS scores for leg pain were 6.52 and 1.27 in the Pr group and 9.5 and 1.375 in the Fa group, respectively (VAS leg pain percentage change: Pr group, 81.07±29.39; Fa group, 75.72±15.26; <italic>p</italic>=0.538, not significant). There were no statistically significant differences in operative time and estimated blood loss and no complications.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>MI-TLIF outcomes were comparable between primary and revision surgeries. The inherent technique of MI-TLIF is particularly suitable for select failed backs because it exploits the intact paramedian corridor.</p></sec>


2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Langston T. Holly ◽  
James D. Schwender ◽  
David P. Rouben ◽  
Kevin T. Foley

✓The authors provide an overview of the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) procedure including indications, technique, and complications. This novel technique is a method of achieving circumferential lumbar fusion using a unilateral dorsal approach. Minimally invasive TLIF uses a tubular retractor that is inserted via a muscle-dilating exposure, thereby minimizing the approach-related morbidity. This procedure is ideal for refractory mechanical low-back and radicular pain associated with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and recurrent disc herniation. The authors' clinical experience and review of the medical literature indicate that TLIF can be effectively and safely performed in a minimally invasive fashion.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Chuanli Zhou ◽  
Chao Wang ◽  
Kai Zhu ◽  
Qihao Tu ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundWith the rapid development of less-invasive techniques, the percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) as a novel minimal surgical technique for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis in recent years. To compare the preliminary efficacy of Endo-TLIF with that of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.MethodsBetween May and August 2019, 62 patients with single-segment lumbar spondylolisthesis treated by a single surgeon were enrolled in this clinical study: there were 32 patients in the Endo-TLIF group and 30 patients in the MIS-TLIF group. Perioperative parameters, including operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), interoperative fluoroscopy time, ambulation time and operative complications, were recorded. At preoperatively, 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively, the results of clinical metrics such as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for back pain, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were obtained and used to compare early outcomes between the two groups. Postoperative fusion rates were assessed by CT scans 12 months after surgery.ResultsNo significant differences were found in the demographic data, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), segment distribution and spondylolisthesis severity, between the two groups. Compared with MIS-TLIF group, Endo-TLIF group had a similar operative time (202.6±31.4 minutes), less intraoperative blood loss (73.0±26.0 ml) and a shorter ambulation time (1.6±0.6 days) but had a longer duration of X-ray radiation (46.3±5.1 seconds). The postoperative VAS scores for back pain as well as the ODI and JOA scores were improved compared with the preoperative scores in the two groups, but the Endo-TLIF group showed more significant improvement in the early follow-up. There were no significant differences in terms of the interbody fusion rate between the two groups. However, no obvious postoperative complications were observed in the study.ConclusionEndo-TLIF technique shows relatively better outcomes compared with MIS-TLIF in terms of an early curative effect, especially one week and six months postoperatively.


Author(s):  
Harsh Sanjay Kumar ◽  
Ajit Swamy

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Spinal fusion in the form of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) are the two common surgical modalities for degenerative spondylosis and disc disease. The objective of the study to compare blood loss, surgical timing, post-operative medical and surgical complications in patients treated by either modality.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This was to compare prospective study of 30 patients equally divided between two modalities operated for TLIF or PLIF after conservative treatment failure.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There is a statistically significant difference between the blood loss, surgical time and improvement in ODI score in two groups while percentage of post-surgical complications are higher in PLIF group compared to TLIF.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> TLIF is associated with less post-operative surgical complications than TLIF which can be attributed to unilateral exposure of intervertebral disc space and requires lesser operative time and produces less blood loss.</p>


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902098303
Author(s):  
Se-Jun Park ◽  
Keun-Ho Lee ◽  
Chong-Suh Lee ◽  
Ki-Tack Kim ◽  
Dong Hyeon Kim ◽  
...  

Purpose: Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding the factors affecting the clinical outcome after fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis. However, no study has compared the best and worst clinical outcome groups using patient-reported outcome measures. We aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with best and worst outcomes following single-level lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods: 200 patients underwent single-level interbody fusion with a minimum 2-years follow-up were included. We excluded patients with surgical complications already-known to be associated with poor postoperative outcomes, including pseudoarthrosis and postoperative infection. According to 2-year postoperative Oswestry disability index scores, patients were divided into two groups; Best and Worst. Demographic, clinical and radiographic variables were compared between the two groups. Results: Compared with patients in the Best group, those in the Worst group were older (59.5 and 67.0 years, respectively; p = 0.012; odds ratio [OR], 1.143; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.030–1.269) and had a longer duration of pain from onset (2.6 and 7.2 years, respectively; p = 0.041; OR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.001–1.041). The cutoff value of pain duration from onset was measured as ≥3.5 years on Receiver operating characteristic analysis. Patients in the Worst group had a lower preoperative angular motion compared to those in the Best group (12.7° and 8.3°, respectively; p = 0.016; OR, 0.816; 95% CI, 0.691–0.963). Conclusions: Degenerative spondylolisthesis patients of good clinical outcome after single-level lumbar interbody fusion were relatively young, had a short symptom duration before surgery, and a high preoperative instability compared with the patient having poor postoperative clinical outcome. Therefore, these findings should be considered preoperatively when deciding the appropriate individual treatment plan.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40
Author(s):  
Kyriakos Kitsopoulos ◽  
Bernd Wiedenhoefer ◽  
Stefan Hemmer ◽  
Christoph Fleege ◽  
Mohammad Arabmotlagh ◽  
...  

Background: Compared with static cages, expandable cages for Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF), are thought to require less posterior bony removal and nerve root retraction. They may allow the creation of a greater lordotic angle and lordosis restoration. Objective: This study investigated whether TLIF using an expandable lordotic interbody cage facilitates an improvement in both segmental lordosis and the restoration of intradiscal height. Methods: A total of 32 patients with 40 operated segments underwent TLIF surgery for lumbar degenerative disc disease and were consecutively included in this prospective observational study. Of those patients, 25 received monosegmental treatment, six were treated bisegmentally, and one was treated trisegmentally. All patients were assessed clinically and radiographically preoperatively, as well as one week, six months, and two years postoperatively. Results: Two patients required revision for screw loosening and pseudarthrosis. In four patients, the endplate was violated intraoperatively due to cage placement. Postoperatively, cage subsidence was observed in four patients. Significant improvement in the mean degree of spondylolisthesis was noted at the two-year mark. Mean segmental lordosis improved postoperatively. A significant increase in mean disc height of the treated segment was also found. Overall, with the exception of pain, no significant clinical or radiographic changes were reported between the first postoperative week and the two-year year follow-up mark. The mean pain, functional, and quality of life outcomes improved significantly from the preoperative to postoperative period, with no deterioration between six months and two years. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that favorable outcomes can be achieved by using an expandable titanium cage in TLIF procedures.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. S250-S251
Author(s):  
Michael V. Mills ◽  
Steven D. Glassman ◽  
John R. Dimar ◽  
Valeri Wolf ◽  
Morgan Brown ◽  
...  

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