[Ventral intercorporal spondylodesis of the lumbar spine in segmental instability]

Ventral intercorporal spondylodesis or anterior interbody fusion was applied via the extraperitoneal route to the lumbar spine of 25 adult patients. The approach had in all cases been indicated for segmental instability in spondylolisthesis or degeneration of vertebral discs with low-back pain in the wake of surgery. Described are the surgical technique used as well as intra-operative and postoperative complications. Solid union was recorded from 21 patients, while non-union occurred to four. Follow-up checks within six months to four and a half years from surgery (2.2 years on average) revealed good clinical success in 19 patients. Four of them were absolutely free of low-back pain, while the condition of 15 had changed to the better. Pain symptoms were not affected in six patients.