Clinical Outcome of LLIF (Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion) in Elderly Patients

, Chul-Woo Lee; , PhD; , Kang-Jun Yoon; , PhD; , Sang-Soo Ha; , PhD; , Joon-Ki Kang; , PhD; , Byeong-Wook Shin; , Yeong Bo Shim

Clinical Article

Journal of Korean Society of Geriatric Neurosurgery 2013;9(1):40-44.
Published online June 30, 2013.

Clinical Outcome of LLIF (Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion) in Elderly Patients

Chul-Woo Lee , PhD , Kang-Jun Yoon , PhD , Sang-Soo Ha , PhD , Joon-Ki Kang , PhD , Byeong-Wook Shin , Yeong Bo Shim

Department of Neurosurgery, St. Peter’s Hospital, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical, surgical and radiological outcome of Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) in elderly patients.
Methods
We performed LLIF in 81 patients (mean age: 71.53(65-80), M/F:28/53, total 124 levels, 1 level: 52, 2 level: 21, 3 level: 10) from December 2011 to December 2012. Surgical and clinical outcome (VAS, ODI) were assessed. Postoperative change of disc height was investigated and intra- and postoperative complications were reviewed.
Results
Patients who were operated by LLIF technique with or without L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody fusion (ALIF) were preoperatively diagnosed of adjacent segment disease 7, spondylolisthesis 16, stenosis 41, deformity 6 and Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS) 11. Postoperatively, all clinical outcome measure scores (VAS, ODI) improved significantly. Postoperative disc height was preserved. Perioperative and postoperative complications (groin pain 13, Psoas muscle weakness 11, subsidence 5) were reported.
Conclusion
LLIF is relatively safe, simple and useful method as one of alternatives to other lumbar interbody fusion techniques in elderly patients with less morbidity and acceptable complication rate. Further long-term follow-up study is required to establish the utility and shortcomings of LLIF.

Key Words: Lateral lumbar interbody fusionㆍElderly patientㆍMinimally invasive