• Sebastian Lauber, Tobias Ludger Schulte, Ulf Liljenqvist, Henry Halm, and Lars Hackenberg.
• St. Marienhospital Hamm, Orthopädisch-Traumatologisches Zentrum, Hamm, Germany. sebastian.lauber@freenet.de
• Spine. 2006 Jul 1; 31 (15): 1693-8.

Study DesignProspective clinical study.ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical and radiographic result of the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) as an alternative new technique in degenerative and isthmic lower grade spondylolisthesis.Summary Of Background DataTLIF is a new alternative surgical technique used for spinal fusion avoiding the ventral approach and can theoretically prevent typical complications, such as those seen in anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusion.Materials And MethodsThere were 19 degenerative, 19 isthmic, and 1 dysplastic spondylolistheses operated on with TLIF. The clinical follow-up used the Oswestry Disability Index, the radiologic follow-up radiograph, analyzing segmental lordosis, intervertebral space, reduction, and fusion rate. The minimum follow-up was 24 months, mean clinical follow-up was 50 months, and radiologic follow-up was 35 months.ResultsThe medium of the Oswestry Disability Index in all patients decreased from 23.5 to 13.5 points, in isthmic spondylolistheses from 20.5 to 10.95 after 2 years. The radiographic fusion rate was 94.8%. The sagittal translation was reduced from 23% to 15%. There were 3 (7.6%) serious postoperative complications observed, which required operative revision.ConclusionsTLIF is a safe and effective method to treat low-grade spondylolisthesis, which can theoretically prevent typical complications of anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. The results of isthmic spondylolistheses were significantly better compared to degenerative spondylolistheses.

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