scholarly journals Lumbar stenosis: indications for fusion with and without instrumentation

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. E6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul W. Detwiler ◽  
Frederick F. Marciano ◽  
Randall W. Porter ◽  
Volker K. H. Sonntag

Although the efficacy of posterior decompression for symptomatic lumbar stenosis that is recalcitrant to conservative therapy is well proven, uniform agreement on the need for simultaneous arthrodesis is lacking. The variability in the rate of lumbar fusion with and without instrumentation has been attributed to a number of factors: advances in surgical technique; rapid development of instrumentation; radiographic advances in the diagnosis of disease entities of the lumbar spine; evolution in our understanding of bone healing; improved pre- and postoperative care; aggressive rehabilitation; patient compensation; hospital and surgeon reimbursement; better education of residents, fellows, and practicing neurosurgeons; and, most important, the lack of clear indications based on defined diagnostic categories. Based on review of the literature and their experience at the Barrow Neurological Institute, the authors have attempted to define indications for lumbar fusion with or without instrumentation based on defined diagnostic categories. Clear indications for fusion include trauma, tumor, or infection with two- or three-column injury, iatrogenic instability, and isthmic spondylolisthesis. Relative indications for fusion include degenerative spondylolisthesis, radiographically proven dynamic instability with pain or neurological findings, adult scoliosis, and mechanical back pain. Fusion is rarely indicated with discectomy, abnormal radiographs without appropriate findings (such as degenerative disc disease), facet joint syndrome, failed back surgery, or stable spinal stenosis.

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 2408-2415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark C. Snoddy ◽  
John A. Sielatycki ◽  
Ahilan Sivaganesan ◽  
Stephen M. Engstrom ◽  
Matthew J. McGirt ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽  
Sanjay S. Dhall ◽  
Jason C. Eck ◽  
Michael W. Groff ◽  
Zoher Ghogawala ◽  
...  

Interbody fusion techniques have been promoted as an adjunct to lumbar fusion procedures in an effort to enhance fusion rates and potentially improve clinical outcome. The medical evidence continues to suggest that interbody techniques are associated with higher fusion rates compared with posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis who demonstrate preoperative instability. There is no conclusive evidence demonstrating improved clinical or radiographic outcomes based on the different interbody fusion techniques. The addition of a PLF when posterior or anterior interbody lumbar fusion is performed remains an option, although due to increased cost and complications, it is not recommended. No substantial clinical benefit has been demonstrated when a PLF is included with an interbody fusion. For lumbar degenerative disc disease without instability, there is moderate evidence that the standalone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) has better clinical outcomes than the ALIF plus instrumented, open PLF. With regard to type of interbody spacer used, frozen allograft is associated with lower pseudarthrosis rates compared with freeze-dried allograft; however, this was not associated with a difference in clinical outcome.


2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byung-Uk Kang ◽  
Won-Chul Choi ◽  
Sang-Ho Lee ◽  
Sang Hyeop Jeon ◽  
Jong Dae Park ◽  
...  

Object Anterior lumbar surgery is associated with certain perioperative visceral and vascular complications. The aim of this study was to document all general surgery–related adverse events and complications following minilaparotomic retroperitoneal lumbar procedures and to discuss strategies for their management or prevention. Methods The authors analyzed data obtained in 412 patients who underwent anterior lumbosacral surgery between 2003 and 2005. The series comprised 114 men and 298 women whose mean age was 56 years (range 34–79 years). Preoperative diagnoses were as follows: isthmic spondylolisthesis (32%), degenerative spondylolisthesis (24%), instability/stenosis (15%), degenerative disc disease (15%), failed–back surgery syndrome (7%), and lumbar degenerative kyphosis or scoliosis (7%). A single level was exposed in 264 patients (64%), 2 in 118 (29%), and 3 or 4 in 30 (7%). The average follow-up period was 16 months. Results Overall, 52 instances of complications and adverse events occurred in 50 patients (12.1%), including sympathetic dysfunction in 25 (6.06%), vascular injury repaired with/without direct suture in 12 (2.9%), ileus lasting > 3 days in 5 (1.2%), pleural effusion in 4 (0.97%), wound dehiscence in 2 (0.49%), symptomatic retroperitoneal hematoma in 2 (0.49%), angina in 1 (0.24%), and bowel laceration in 1 patient (0.24%). There was no instance of retrograde ejaculation in male patients, and most complications had no long-term sequelae. Conclusions This report presents a detailed analysis of complications related to anterior lumbar surgery. Although the incidence of complications appears low considering the magnitude of the procedure, surgeons should be aware of these potential complications and their management.


2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 8-9
Author(s):  
Marjorie Eskay-Auerbach

Abstract The incidence of cervical and lumbar fusion surgery has increased in the past twenty years, and during follow-up some of these patients develop changes at the adjacent segment. Recognizing that adjacent segment degeneration and disease may occur in the future does not alter the rating for a cervical or lumbar fusion at the time the patient's condition is determined to be at maximum medical improvement (MMI). The term adjacent segment degeneration refers to the presence of radiographic findings of degenerative disc disease, including disc space narrowing, instability, and so on at the motion segment above or below a cervical or lumbar fusion. Adjacent segment disease refers to the development of new clinical symptoms that correspond to these changes on imaging. The biomechanics of adjacent segment degeneration have been studied, and, although the exact mechanism is uncertain, genetics may play a role. Findings associated with adjacent segment degeneration include degeneration of the facet joints with hypertrophy and thickening of the ligamentum flavum, disc space collapse, and translation—but the clinical significance of these radiographic degenerative changes remains unclear, particularly in light of the known presence of abnormal findings in asymptomatic patients. Evaluators should not rate an individual in anticipation of the development of changes at the level above a fusion, although such a development is a recognized possibility.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-642
Author(s):  
Joseph Laratta ◽  
Leah Y. Carreon ◽  
Avery L. Buchholz ◽  
Andrew Y. Yew ◽  
Erica F. Bisson ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEMedical comorbidities, particularly preoperatively diagnosed anxiety, depression, and obesity, may influence how patients perceive and measure clinical benefit after a surgical intervention. The current study was performed to define and compare the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) thresholds in patients with and without preoperative diagnoses of anxiety or depression and obesity who underwent spinal fusion for grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis.METHODSThe Quality Outcomes Database (QOD) was queried for patients who underwent lumbar fusion for grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis during the period from January 2014 to August 2017. Collected patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), health status (EQ-5D), and numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for back pain (NRS-BP) and leg pain (NRS-LP). Both anchor-based and distribution-based methods for MCID calculation were employed.RESULTSOf 462 patients included in the prospective registry who underwent a decompression and fusion procedure, 356 patients (77.1%) had complete baseline and 12-month PRO data and were included in the study. The MCID values for ODI scores did not significantly differ in patients with and those without a preoperative diagnosis of obesity (20.58 and 20.69, respectively). In addition, the MCID values for ODI scores did not differ in patients with and without a preoperative diagnosis of anxiety or depression (24.72 and 22.56, respectively). Similarly, the threshold MCID values for NRS-BP, NRS-LP, and EQ-5D scores were not statistically different between all groups. Based on both anchor-based and distribution-based methods for determination of MCID thresholds, there were no statistically significant differences between all cohorts.CONCLUSIONSMCID thresholds were similar for ODI, EQ-5D, NRS-BP, and NRS-LP in patients with and without preoperative diagnoses of anxiety or depression and obesity undergoing spinal fusion for grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis. Preoperative clinical and shared decision-making may be improved by understanding that preoperative medical comorbidities may not affect the way patients experience and assess important clinical changes postoperatively.


2021 ◽  
pp. 219256822098547
Author(s):  
Nathan Evaniew ◽  
Ganesh Swamy ◽  
W. Bradley Jacobs ◽  
Jacques Bouchard ◽  
Roger Cho ◽  
...  

Study Design: Uncontrolled retrospective observational study. Objectives: Surgery for patients with back pain and degenerative disc disease is controversial, and studies to date have yielded conflicting results. We evaluated the effects of lumbar fusion surgery for patients with this indication in the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN). Methods: We analyzed data that were prospectively collected from consecutive patients at 11 centers between 2015 and 2019. Our primary outcome was change in patient-reported back pain at 12 months of follow-up, and our secondary outcomes were satisfaction, disability, health-related quality of life, and rates of adverse events. Results: Among 84 patients, we observed a statistically significant improvement of back pain at 12 months that exceeded the threshold of Minimum Clinically Important Difference (MCID) (mean change -3.7 points, SD 2.6, p < 0.001, MCID = 1.2; 77% achieved MCID), and 81% reported being “somewhat” or “extremely” satisfied. We also observed improvements of Oswestry Disability Index (-17.3, SD 16.6), Short Form-12 Physical Component Summary (10.3, SD 9.6) and Short Form-12 Mental Component Summary (3.1, SD 8.3); all p < 0.001). The overall rate of adverse events was 19%. Conclusions: Among a highly selective group of patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery for degenerative disc disease, most experienced a clinically significant improvement of back pain as well as significant improvements of disability and health-related quality of life, with high satisfaction at 1 year of follow-up. These findings suggest that surgery for this indication may provide some benefit, and that further research is warranted.


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.


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