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Unilateral versus bilateral instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in two-level degenerative lumbar disorders: a prospective randomised study

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to analyse the clinical and radiological outcomes of unilateral versus bilateral instrumented TLIF in two-level degenerative lumbar disorders.

Methods

A prospective randomised clinical study was performed from January 2008 to May 2011. Sixty-eight consecutive patients with severe low back pain and radicular pain were divided randomly into the unilateral (n = 33) or bilateral (n = 35) pedicle screw fixation group based on a random number list. Operative time, blood loss, duration of hospital stay, fusion rate, complication rate and implant costs were recorded and analysed statistically. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-36 were used to assess the preoperative and postoperative clinical results in the two groups.

Results

No differences were observed between the two groups with respect to demographic data. The patients of the two groups had significant improvement in functional outcome compared to preoperatively. There was no significant difference comparing fusion rate, complication rate and duration of hospital stay between the two groups at postoperative follow-up (P > 0.05). However, compared with the bilateral pedicle screw group, a significant decrease occurred in operative time, blood loss and implant costs in the unilateral group.

Conclusion

Two-level unilateral instrumented TLIF is an effective and safe method with reduced operative time and blood loss for multiple-level lumbar diseases. But it is imperative that the larger cage should be appropriately positioned to support the contralateral part of the anterior column by crossing the midline of the vertebral body.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81071453, 81071503), Program for Innovative Research Team of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission (Phase II).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orthopaedic Implants, Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People’s Republic of China

    Zhang Kai, Sun Wei, Zhao Chang-qing, Li Hua, Ding Wei, Xie You-zhuan, Sun Xiao-jiang & Zhao Jie

Authors
  1. Zhang Kai
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  2. Sun Wei
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  3. Zhao Chang-qing
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  4. Li Hua
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  5. Ding Wei
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  6. Xie You-zhuan
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  7. Sun Xiao-jiang
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  8. Zhao Jie
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhao Jie.

Additional information

Drs. Zhang Kai and Sun Wei contributed equally to this study.

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Kai, Z., Wei, S., Chang-qing, Z. et al. Unilateral versus bilateral instrumented transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in two-level degenerative lumbar disorders: a prospective randomised study. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 38, 111–116 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2026-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-013-2026-y

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