One-stage three-dimensional correction and fusion: a multilevel posterior lumbar interbody fusion procedure for degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis. Technical note.

Abstract

Surgery for degenerative lumbar kyphoscoliosis (DLKS) is very challenging because the curve has become rigid due to circumferential osteoarthritic changes. Therefore, a standard procedure involving correction and fusion after decompression of the nerves has not yet been established. The authors have been searching for an effective procedure that provides adequate decompression and three-dimensional (3D) correction for symptomatic DLKS. In this report they describe a new 3D correction and fusion technique involving multilevel posterior lumbar interbody fusion. They analyze the results obtained in the first 23 cases and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. The correction effect was excellent, and compared with other instrumentation-assisted procedures, this surgery is not remarkably invasive. Although the procedure is limited in achieving normal sagittal alignment and the acceleration rate of adjacent-disc degeneration remains relatively high, it is an option for the rigid deformity characterized by DLKS.