[Anterior interbody-fusion of the lumbar spine (author's transl)]

Anterior interbody spine fusion was performed by the extraperitoneal technique in 55 patients. Their diagnoses included instability of the spine in spondylolisthesis and degenerative disk disease, failed posterior fusion, progressive slip in spondylolisthesis, and in 4 patients tumour destruction of lumbar vertebral bodies. The follow-up of 47 patients after 0,5 to 7 years (average 2,8 years) revealed that the clinical result was successful in 37 patients (78%) and unsuccessful in 10 patients (22%). 34 patients (72%) had a solid union, whereas pseudoarthrosis had developed in 8 patients (17%). Technique and complications of the anterior approach to the lumbar part of the spine are described and indications are discussed.