European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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The lateral approach for anterior interbody fusion allows placement of a large footprint intervertebral spacer to indirectly decompress the neural elements through disc height restoration and resultant soft tissue changes. However, it is not well understood under what circumstances indirect decompression in lateral approach surgery is sufficient. This report aimed to evaluate clinical scenarios where indirect decompression was and was not sufficient in symptom resolution when using lateral interbody fusion. ⋯ Indirect decompression clearly has a role in minimizing the amount of surgery that is required. However, it is important to consider the circumstances where this technique may be effective and preoperative considerations that may improve patient selection.
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The LLIF procedure is a useful stand-alone and adjunct surgical approach for many spinal conditions. One complication of LLIF is subsidence of the interbody graft into the vertebral bodies, resulting in severe pain, impaired arthrodesis and potentially fracture of the body. Low bone density, as measured by T score on DEXA scanning, has also been postulated to increase the risk of subsidence. ⋯ Patients with DEXA T scores less than -1.0 who undergo stand-alone LLIF are at a much higher risk of developing graft subsidence. Further, they are at an increased risk of requiring additional surgery. In patients with poor bone quality, consideration could be made to supplement the LLIF cage with posterior instrumentation.
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Posterior decompression by laminoplasty and anterior decompression/fixation have been widely accepted, and they provide sufficient results for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. However, combined procedure of posterior decompression and reconstruction is favorable for some patients accompanying local kyphosis, segmental instability, previously operated conditions on the cervical spine, etc. ⋯ Combined procedure of posterior reconstructive surgery using a pedicle screw fixation provides better clinical outcomes than laminoplasty alone for cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanying local kyphosis or segmental instability. Further development of supporting tools for cervical pedicle screw insertion including aiming device, navigation system and neuromonitoring procedure are expected for safer screw insertion.