Publication:

Comparison of early clinico-radiological outcome of posterolateral fusion and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion techniques

Background The objective is to analyse clinico-radiological outcome with respect to functional disability, pain, fusion rate of patients treated with TLIF compared to instrumented PLF techniques for lumbar spinal stabilization.

Methods Monocentric retrospective study with an average follow up of 36 months in patients who underwent surgery from January 2016 to December 2017. Out of 140 participants, 78 males and 62 females with mean age 52.22 (±11.97) years; 78 underwent PLF and 62 underwent TLIF. Assessment was done using VAS score and ODI score before surgery and post-surgery at 3, 6, and 18 weeks and thereafter at 18, 24 and 36 months. Radiologically sagittal and coronal angles were measured both preoperatively and postoperatively and evaluation of correction in sagittal and coronal angle was calculated.

Results We observed highly significant reduction in the post-operative VAS score, ODI Score compared to pre-operative scores in both TLIF and PLF group but radiologically TLIF gives better correction in sagittal balance and rotational alignment compared to PLF.

Conclusions We conclude that in the short term duration of our study, both the procedures done with proper technique in duly indicated patients shows satisfactory clinical outcome. However, radiologically TLIF patients had better outcome. We expect better outcome in long term with TLIF compared to PLF. In presence of insignificant blood loss, surgical duration and better 3600 fusion TLIF is preferred over PLF.