Biomechanical and clinical study of single posterior oblique cage POLIF in the treatment of degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine

Eur Spine J. 2015 Nov:24 Suppl 7:924-30. doi: 10.1007/s00586-015-4273-7. Epub 2015 Oct 6.

Abstract

Introduction: Aim of the study was to evaluate the biomechanical stability and the clinical efficacy of a lumbar interbody fusion obtained by single oblique cage implanted by a posterior approach.

Method: Through the realization of three finite element models (FEMs), the biomechanics of POLIF was compared to PLIF and TLIF. Ninety-four patients underwent interbody fusion by POLIF with instrumented posterolateral fusion. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated at regular intervals for at least 6 months.

Results: The FEMs showed no statistically significant differences in stability in compression and flexion-extension. Mean preoperative VAS score was 7.1, decreased to 2.1 at follow-up. Mean preoperative SF-12 value was 34.5 %, increased to 75.4 % at follow-up. All patients showed a good fusion rate and no hardware failure.

Discussion: POLIF associated to instrumented posterolateral fusion is a viable and safe surgical technique, which ensures a biomechanical stability similar to other surgical techniques.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Cage; Degenerative diseases; Interbody fusion; Lumbar spine.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Internal Fixators*
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / diagnostic imaging
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / surgery*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / physiology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiography
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Spinal Fusion / instrumentation*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods
  • Treatment Outcome