• Sei-Yoon Kim, Dae Hyeon Maeng, Sang-Ho Lee, and Jee-Soo Jang.
• Department of Neurosurgery, Seoul Chuk Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
• J Spinal Disord Tech. 2008 Feb 1;21(1):33-8.

Study DesignRetrospective study of surgical technique and clinical outcome.ObjectivesTo examine the technique and outcomes of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgery for a lumbosacral junction in a steep sacral slope.Summary Of Background DataThere are no studies on the outcome and technical pitfalls on ALIF surgery for a lumbosacral junction in a steep sacral slope.Materials And MethodsSix female patients (mean age of 55.67 y; range, 42 to 69) who had a steep sacral slope underwent ALIF surgery for degenerative (2 patients) and spondylolytic (4 patients) spondylolisthesis. The average follow-up duration was 29.33 months (range, 27 to 33 mo). The following parameters were used to assess the outcomes: slip angle, slip percentage, sacral inclination, lumbosacral angle, sacral slope, and distance from the upper margin of the pubis symphysis to the sacral plane. The level of pain was measured using the visual analog pain scale score. The function was assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. Satisfaction surveys were also carried out. Statistical analysis was performed using a Friedman test. A P value <0.05 was considered significant.ResultsThe mean sacral inclination, lumbosacral angle, sacral slope, and distance from the upper margin of the pubis symphysis to the sacral plane were 37.34 degrees (range, 28.55 to 48.92 degrees), 12.20 degrees (range, 5.09 to 16.5 degrees), 40.70 degrees (range, 30.54 to 49.98 degrees), and 22.06 cm (range, 16.13 to 29.72 cm), respectively. The mean correction of slip percentage and slip angle was 35.46%, and 9.3 degrees, respectively. The mean visual analog pain scale score decreased from 8.5 (back pain) and 7.3 (leg pain) to 1.8 (back pain) and 1.8 (leg pain) after surgery (P=0.001). The mean ODI scores also reflected the improved status (ODI of 64.7 before surgery to 8.5 after surgery; P=0.001). The patient's satisfaction was relatively high. All the patients had radiographically solid fusion at the latest follow-up. There were no significant complications encountered in this study.ConclusionsIn selected cases, a steep sacral slope may not be an absolute contraindication of ALIF. Moreover, the C-arm-guided reduction and cage insertion method is a reliable way of treating spondylolisthesis in those with a steep sacral slope.

44 keywords...

hide…