Posterior lumbar interbody fusion using posterolateral placement of a single cylindrical threaded cage.

Abstract

An in vitro biomechanical study of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with threaded cages was performed on 18 bovine lumbar functional spinal units. To compare the segmental stiffness among PLIF with a single long posterolateral cage, PLIF with a single long posterolateral cage and simultaneous facet joint fixation, and PLIF with two posterior cages. In most cases, PLIF with threaded cage techniques needs bilateral facetectomy, extensive exposure, and retraction of the cauda equina. Posterior element deficiency is detrimental to postoperative segmental stiffness. All specimens were tested intact and with cage insertion. Group 1 (n = 12) had a long threaded cage (15 x 36 mm) inserted posterolaterally and oriented counter anterolaterally on the left side by posterior approach with left unilateral facetectomy. Group 2 (n = 6) had two regular-length cages (15 x 24 mm) inserted posteriorly with bilateral facetectomy. Six specimens from Group 1 were then retested after unilateral facet joint screw fixation in neutral (Group 3). Similarly, the other six specimens from Group 1 were retested after fixation with a facet joint screw in an extended position (Group 4). Nondestructive tests were performed in pure compression, flexion, extension, lateral bending, and torsion. The PLIF procedure involving a single cage (Group 1) had a significantly higher stiffness than PLIF with two cages (Group 2) in left and right torsion (P < 0.05). Group 1 had higher stiffness values than Group 2 in pure compression, flexion, and left and right bending, but differences were not significant. Group 3 had a significant increase in stiffness in comparison with Group 1 for pure compression, extension, left bending, and right torsion (P < 0.05). For Group 4, the stiffness significantly increased in comparison with Group 1 for extension, flexion, and right torsion (P < 0.05). Although there was no significant difference between Groups 3 and 4, Group 4 had increased stiffness in extension, flexion, right bending, and torsion. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with a single posterolateral long threaded cage with unilateral facetectomy enabled sufficient decompression while maintaining most of the posterior elements. In combination with a facet joint screw, adequate postoperative stability was achieved.