Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.11(3) > 1035616

Chung, Lee, Lee, Oh, and Sun: Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Cancellous Allograft

Abstract

Study Design

This is a retrospective study.

Objectives

This study compared the clinical results of the posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) using a cancellous allograft with the conventional autologous iliac bone graft.

Summary of Literature Review

The allograft is known to produce a similar effect as that of a nonvascular autogenous bone implantation. However, the implantation process occurs more slowly with the various degrees of the inflammatory reaction caused by the immunological reactions.

Materials and Methods

From June 1999 to February 2002, 39 patients were operated on by a single surgeon. There were 14 cases with 1 level, 4 cases with 2 levels posterior fusion with a cancellous allograft (objective group), and 20 cases with 1level and 1 case with 2 levels posterior fusion with a conventional bone graft (control group). The clinical results and standing lateral views of the lumbar spine were compared and analyzed in order to assess the fusion rate, the changes in the distance between the two vertebral bodies and changes in the lordotic angle formed between the fused bodies immediate after surgery and at the final followup.

Results

During the early postoperative period, the control group showed superior results. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups at the final followup. There were no statistically significant differences in the fusion rate, the changes in the intervertebral distance, and the lordotic angle.

Conclusion

PLIF using a cancellous allograft and a locally harvested autograft showed acceptable radiological union rate and clinical results. It is believed that this is an excellent surgical technique with a shorter operation time, less bleeding, less pain and no morbidity of the donor site.

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Figures and Tables%

Fig. 1.
Lordotic angle measures the angle between the lower end plate of the upper lumbar body and upper end plate of the lower lumbar body, which underwent fusion.
jkss-11-141f1.tif
Fig. 2.
(A) Drawing a line along the lower endplate of the upper lumbar body. (B) A line perpendicular to the lower endplate of the upper lumbar body is drawn at the anterior end. (C) The distance of the perpendicular line drawn between the lower border of the upper lumbar body and the upper end plate of the lower lumbar body is measured.
jkss-11-141f2.tif
Table 1.
Clinical results
% Poor Fair Good to excellent
Case (2 week) 0.0 55.6 45.5
Case (final) 13.6 27.3 59.1
Control (2 week) 50 50 0
Control (final) 4.6 31.8 63.6
Table 2.
Union rates
% Nonunion Union
Case 4.6 95.5
Control 0 100
Table 3.
Changes of lordotic angle and intervertebral disc height
Angle (degrees) Number (levels) Mean Standard deviation Maximum Minimum
Case 22 -2.2 1.9 -7.6 -0.4
Control 22 -2.7 1.9 -7.5 -0.1
Height (mm)
Case 22 -3.4 2.1 -9.9 -0.8
Control 22 -3.4 2.2 -8.3 -0.5
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