Analysis of neurologic complications after posterior lumbar interbody fusion

English Keywords:Lumbar vertebra  Posterior interbody　fusion  Nerve injury  Complication

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objective：To evaluate the neurologic complications associated with posterior 1umbar interbody fusion（PLIF）.Method：From March 2003 to May 2008，a total of 178 patients experienced PLIF procedure due to lumbar disease.Of these，forty two had lumbar disc herniation，39 had lumbar spine stenosis，61 had degenerative spondylolisthesis，22 had isthmic spondylolisthesis and 14 had post-laminectomy/discectomy syndrome.One hundred and thirty patients had single level fused，of these，8 at L3/4，64 at L4/5 and 58 at L5/S1.Forty six cases had two levels fused，of these，19 at L3/4 and L4/5，27 at L4/5 and L5/S1.Two patients had three levels fused，all at the L3/4，L4/5 and L5/S1.All causes possibly related to the neurologic complications were documented．Result：13 cases（7.3%） were noted to have neurologic complications，of these，one at L4，7 at L5 and 5 at S1.6 cases had nerve root stretch injury，3 cases had nerve root injury from instrument maneuver，1 case had nerve root deformity，1 case had developed epidural hematoma，1 case had nerve root injury from pedicle fracture and 1 case had secondary lateral recess stenosis.2 cases had complete neurological injury，and 11 cases had incomplete injury.According to American Spinal Injury Association（ASIA） criteria，there was complete recovery of neurologic function in 7 cases，incomplete recovery in 4 cases and no change in 2 cases.Conclusion：Many causes may be associated with the neurologic complications due to posterior 1umbar interbody fusion，nerve root stretch injury is the most common.