Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with facet-screw fixation

The optimal surgical construct for lumbar fusion remains controversial. The posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) operation offers advantages including total nuclear disc excision, restoration of disc-space height, root decompression, limited muscle retraction and injury, and solid mechanical arthrodesis. Major disadvantages have included graft displacement, neurologic injury and nonunion. The use of posterior fixation as an adjunct to PLIF reduces the probability of these complications and increases the chances of fusion. This study examines 35 patients who underwent PLIF and facet-screw fixation. Indications for surgery included disabling low-back pain with discographic/MRI-demonstrated disc derrangement, recurrent disc herniation, and failed inter-transverse process fusions. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months. There were no patients with significant neurologic injury or functional root loss. One patient developed graft displacement and failure of fixation (laminar fracture in markedly obese patient). Three patients had subcutaneous hematomas (no surgical treatment required). None of the cases required blood replacement. The authors have concluded that the addition of facet fixation/fusion to the PLIF operation substantially reduces the complication rate of the procedure.