J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1979 Sep;14(3):482-488. 10.4055/jkoa.1979.14.3.482.

Study on Posterolateral Fusion of Lumbar Spine

Abstract

The first fusions of the spinal column were done by Hibb's and Albee in 1911. The great majority of early fusions were done for tuberculosis or arrest of the deformity of scoliosis. With changing incidence of diseases. fusion is now used most often for conditions occuring as a consequence of degenerative processes and is therefore an elective procedure done for relief of pain. The constant and uncontrollable motion of the spinal column has long been recognized as inimical to fusion and most of the modifications of technique have been designed to provide additional temporary stability to the involved vertebrae during the process of healing. More recently methods have been devoloped for placement of grafts between the vertebral bodies and between the transverse processes of the vertebrae. Fusion in the region is not new but it has not come into common usage because of the relative in accessibility of the region. Reports of it's use have been infrequent but optimistic with regard to the success of fusion. Fusion of a single intervertebral joint, most commonly the lumbosacral articulation, fusion by Hipp's seems to be adequate. If, however, two or more levels are fused by the usual methods, solid union will occur in less than 80% of patients. So we prefer the posterolateral technique for initial fusion of all patients requiring arthrodesis of more than one level. For the periods of 3 years from Jan. 1975 to Jun. 1978. 62 cases of diseased spine were treated by posterolateral fusion and the results of follow-up was as follows. 1. Of all 62 cases, 37 patients (59.7%) were male and 25 patients (40.3%) were femlae. 2. The average age was 29.5 years. 3. The etiology of low backache patients i) Spondylolysis --- 20 cases (32.2%) ii) Spondylolisthesis --- 12 cases (19.4%) iii) Disc protrusion --- 22 cases (35.5%) iv) Tbc. spine --- 7 cases (11.2%) v) Fx. and dislocation --- 1 case (1.7%) 4, Fusion rate of one intervertebral joint is 100%. 5. Fusion rate of more than 2 intervertebral joints is 86.7%.


MeSH Terms

Arthrodesis
Congenital Abnormalities
Dislocations
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Joints
Low Back Pain
Male
Scoliosis
Spine*
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis
Transplants
Tuberculosis
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