Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 28, 2025
Clinical Application of Microscope-Assisted Minimally Invasive Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Published on: June 16, 2023
[Interbody fusion for active lumbar discopathy : long term functional outcome and comparison between the anterior and
Mejdeddine Al Barajraji1, Salim El Hadwe2, Damien Dresse3
1Service de Neurochirurgie, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgique.
Background:
There is limited evidence regarding the long-term functional outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in patients with refractory active lumbar discopathy (ALD).
Methods:
We retrospectively surveyed 194 patients who underwent lumbar fusion for ALD using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Modified MacNab's Criteria (MMCQ) and reviewed medical records for complications.
Results:
The cohort included 54 patients (median age: 53.5 years). Thirty underwent ALIF (L4L5: 4, L5S1: 20, L4S1: 6) and 24 had PLIF (L4L5: 8, L5S1: 12). Median follow-up was 83 (66-114) months. Excellent outcomes were more frequent in the ALIF group (34 % vs 21 %). RDQ scores were higher in the PLIF group (9 (3-17) vs 5 (0-11)). ALIF patients had fewer cases of proximal junctional kyphosis (7 % vs 25 %) but higher chronic analgesic use (33 % vs 17 %) and documented failed back surgery syndrome (13 % vs 0 %). No major complications were observed.
Conclusions:
Both ALIF and PLIF are safe for treating recalcitrant ALD. ALIF may offer better long-term function and less disability, albeit with potentially higher analgesic use.
