Results of instrumented posterolateral fusion in failed back surgery

The success rate following revision surgery for failed back surgery is inherently low. However, a general consensus for a satisfactory surgical intervention after failed disc surgery has not yet been reached. We present a cohort study of 25 adult cases treated by instrumented posterolateral fusion with or without nerve root exploration/decompression for recurrence or persistence of symptoms after previous disc surgery. The average age at surgery was 47 years (range 39-56 years). Complications were seen in four patients in the form of intraoperative dural tears. A satisfactory clinical outcome was seen in 80% of the patients, and the overall fusion rate was 93%.