• Tina S Videbaek, Finn B Christensen, Rikke Soegaard, Ebbe S Hansen, Kristian Høy, Peter Helmig, Bent Niedermann, Søren P Eiskjoer, and Cody E Bünger.
• Spine Unit, Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospital of Aarhus, Aarhus, Denmark.
• Spine. 2006 Dec 1;31(25):2875-80.

Study DesignProspective randomized clinical study with a 5- to 9-year follow-up period.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to analyze the long-term outcome with respect to functional disability, pain, and general health of patients treated by means of circumferential lumbar fusion in comparison with those treated by means of instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion.Summary Of Background DataCircumferential fusion has become a common procedure in lumbar spinal fusion both as a primary and salvage procedure. However, the claimed advantages of circumferential fusion over conventional posterolateral fusion lack scientific documentation. (The primary report with a 2-year follow-up has been published in Spine in 2002.)MethodsFrom April 1996 to November 1999, a total of 148 patients (mean age, 45 years) with severe chronic low back pain were randomly selected for either posterolateral lumbar fusion (titanium Cotrel-Dubousset) or circumferential lumbar fusion (instrumented posterolateral fusion with anterior intervertebral support by a Brantigan cage). The primary outcome measure was the Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ). The secondary outcome measures were the Oswestry Disability Index, the SF-36 instrument, and the Low Back Pain Rating Scale. All measures assessed the endpoint outcomes at 5 to 9 years after surgery.ResultsThe available response rate was 93%. The circumferential group showed a significantly better improvement (P < 0.05) in comparison with the posterolateral group with respect to all four DPQ categories: daily activities, work/leisure, anxiety/depression, and social interest. The Oswestry Disability Index supported these results (P < 0.01). General health, as assessed by means of the SF-36, also showed significantly better physical health (P < 0.01) in the circumferential group, whereas no significant difference was found with respect to mental health compared with the posterolateral group. The circumferential group experienced significantly less back pain (P < 0.05) in comparison with the posterolateral group. In regard to leg pain, no significant difference was found.ConclusionCircumferential lumbar fusion demands more extensive operative resources compared with posterolateral lumbar fusion. However, 5 to 9 years after surgery, the circumferentially fused patients had a significantly improved outcome compared with those treated by means of posterolateral fusion. These new results not only emphasize the superiority of circumferential fusion in the complex pathology of the lumbar spine but are also strongly supported in all of the validated questionnaires used in the study.

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