Effect of pedicle-screw rod fixation on oblique lumbar interbody fusion in patients with osteoporosis: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Study design A retrospective cohort study. Objective To investigate the radiological and clinical outcomes of patients with or without pedicle-screw rod fixation (PSRF) in OLIF surgery. Methods Between June 2017 and December 2019, 66 consecutive patients who underwent OLIF surgery at two centers were divided into stand-alone and combined groups according to whether or not PSRF was used. Imaging and clinical data were collected preoperatively, postoperatively, 3 and 6 months postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Related coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis was used to detect the influencing factors of cage subsidence (CS). Results There was a lower baseline BMD in the combined group (p = 0.005). The combined group showed superior VAS score at 3 months postoperatively, although there was no difference in long-term VAS and ODI scores between the two groups. The foraminal height (FH) of the two groups was comparable at preoperatively, postoperatively, and 3 months postoperatively, but the combined group showed better maintenance of FH at 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.049) and last follow-up (p = 0.019). The total CS (tCS) of the combined group was lower than that of the stand-alone group during the whole follow-up period (all p ≤ 0.001). Multiple linear regression suggested that lower BMD was the risk factor for main CS, and PSRF could significantly reduce the BMD threshold for severe CS (−4.77 vs −1.38). Conclusions OLIF combined with PSRF can effectively avoid foraminal height loss and prevent severe CS, which may be more suitable for patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia and improve clinical outcomes.

Complications Associated with Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Systematic Review

“…However, OLIF with posterior stabilisation allows for a better dispersal of impact and therefore offers additional protection to the endplates than a stand-alone OLIF, thereby increasing fusion rates and decreasing rates of post-operative cage subsidence [13,14]. However, additional posterior stabilisation may pose a higher risk for complications as it increases operative time, tissue damage, and blood loss, and also incurs higher implant costs to patients [12,15]. With multiple studies now available in the literature, we intend to perform a review and consolidate the complication rates pertaining to OLIF L2-5 in a varied multinational population.…”