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. 2009 Mar;18(3):430-4.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-008-0825-4. Epub 2008 Nov 18.

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using unilateral pedicle screws and a translaminar screw

Anil Sethi  1 , Sandra Lee, Rahul Vaidya
Affiliations

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using unilateral pedicle screws and a translaminar screw

Anil Sethi et al. Eur Spine J. 2009 Mar.

Abstract

Lumbar spinal fusion is advancing with minimally invasive techniques, bone graft alternatives, and new implants. This has resulted in significant reductions of operative time, duration of hospitalization, and higher success in fusion rates. However, costs have increased as many new technologies are expensive. This study was carried out to investigate the clinical outcomes and fusion rates of a low implant load construct of unilateral pedicle screws and a translaminar screw in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) which reduced the cost of the posterior implants by almost 50%. Nineteen consecutive patients who underwent single level TLIF with this construct were included in the study. Sixteen patients had a TLIF allograft interbody spacer placed, while in three a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cage was used. Follow-up ranged from 15 to 54 months with a mean of 32 months. A clinical and radiographic evaluation was carried out preoperatively and at multiple time points following surgery. An overall improvement in Oswestry scores and visual analogue scales for leg and back pain (VAS) was observed. Three patients underwent revision surgery due to recurrence of back pain. All patients showed radiographic evidence of fusion from 9 to 26 months (mean 19) following surgery. This study suggests that unilateral pedicle screws and a contralateral translaminar screw are a cheaper and viable option for single level lumbar fusion.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a, b Radiograph of anteroposterior and lateral views of unilateral pedicle screws and a translaminar screw
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Radiographic progress of L5–S1 fusion at 18 months
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
CT-scan evaluation of fusion at 12 months
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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