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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
11:30
Multilevel Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Disc Disease with Instability
Published on: July 25, 2025
Two-level total lumbar disc replacement.
Mario Di Silvestre1, Georgios Bakaloudis, Francesco Lolli
1Spine Surgery Department, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Via Pupilli 1, Bologna 40136, Italy. mario.disilvestre@ior.it
Summary
Bisegmental total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) showed similar functional outcomes to monosegmental TDR but had a higher complication rate. Further research is needed to clarify the long-term benefits and risks of bisegmental TDR.
Area of Science:
- Spine surgery
- Orthopedic surgery
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Total lumbar disc replacement (TDR) is a treatment for degenerative disc disease.
- Conflicting results exist regarding bisegmental (2-level) versus monosegmental (1-level) TDR.
- Complication rates may increase with bisegmental TDR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate outcomes of bisegmental TDR using the SB Charitè III prosthesis.
- To compare bisegmental TDR with 1-level TDR using the same prosthesis.
- To assess radiographic and functional outcomes after a minimum 3-year follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 32 patients (16 bisegmental TDR, 16 1-level TDR).
- SB Charitè III artificial disc used for all patients.
- Radiographic and functional outcomes, including patient satisfaction, were analyzed at 12 months and 3 years.
Main Results:
- No adjacent segment degeneration observed in either group.
- No statistically significant difference in functional outcome scores between 1-level and 2-level TDR at 12 months or 3 years.
- Bisegmental TDR had a higher incidence of minor and major complications (5 minor, 4 major) compared to 1-level TDR (2 minor, 2 major).
- Revision surgery was required in 12.5% of bisegmental cases versus 6.25% of monosegmental cases.
Conclusions:
- Bisegmental TDR using SB Charitè III shows comparable functional results to 1-level TDR.
- Bisegmental TDR is associated with a higher complication rate than 1-level TDR.
- Patient satisfaction and functional scores did not significantly differ between groups, despite higher complication rates in the bisegmental group.
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