Posterior lumbar interbody fusion combined with instrumented postero-lateral fusion: 5-year results in 60 patients

The technique of posterior lumbar interbody fusion allows decompression of the spinal canal and interbody fusion through one posterior incision. A number of techniques exist to achieve additional posterior stability. The literature reports wide variation in outcomes for these different techniques. We assessed retrospectively the clinical and radiological outcome of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) supplemented with an instrumented postero-lateral fusion (IPLF) using a pedicle screw system. Between July 1987 and April 1997, 60 patients underwent PLIF + IPLF. Clinical outcome was measured with physical examination in the outpatient setting and a patient questionnaire (patient satisfaction, analgesic use, return to work, Oswestry Disability Index). Radiological outcome was assessed with serial radiographs. If doubt existed regarding fixation, flexion/extension radiographs and plain tomograms were performed. The mean age was 44 years (range 19-69 years). The average follow-up was 5.3 years (range 1-10 years). Eighty percent of patients returned sufficiently completed questionnaires; 83% of these patients rated their outcome as good or excellent. Fifty percent of patients were able to return to full-time employment. All patients showed radiographic evidence of stable fixation. Four patients sustained a neurological complication, three of which resolved completely. The combination of PLIF with IPLF demonstrates clinical success, a stable circumferential fixation and a low complication rate.