Dong Zhao1, Shucai Deng2, Yi Ma2, Yonghong Hao2, Zhanhua Jia2. 1. Department of Spinal Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China. Email: andyzhao99@163.com. 2. Department of Spinal Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin 300211, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of treating thoracolumbar disc herniation with transforaminal lumbar intervertebral fusion (TLIF). METHODS: From December 2009 to May 2013, 15 consecutive patients with one-level thoracolumbar disc herniation underwent TLIF. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average age of 41.2 (25-72) years. According to the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) criteria and Frankel grading system, it was evaluated for the clinical effects of all patients. RESULTS: The average operative duration was 140 (115-180) min and mean blood loss volume 329 (100-500) ml. The symptoms improved all greatly over an average follow-up period of 19 (3-44) months. According to the JOA criteria system, the outcomes were excellent (n = 9, 60%), good (n = 4, 26.6%) and fair (n = 2, 13.4%). Based on the Frankel grading system, 2 cases were classified as A (n = 2), 2 as B (n = 2), 4 as C (n = 4) and 7 as D (n = 7) preoperatively versus B (n = 1), C (n = 1), D (n = 4) and E (n = 9) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The combined approach of TLIF plus posterior laminectomy is anatomically simple, visually distinct, relatively safe, reliable and efficacious in treatment of thoracolumbar disc herniation.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, safety and efficacy of treating thoracolumbar disc herniation with transforaminal lumbar intervertebral fusion (TLIF). METHODS: From December 2009 to May 2013, 15 consecutive patients with one-level thoracolumbar disc herniation underwent TLIF. There were 9 males and 6 females with an average age of 41.2 (25-72) years. According to the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) criteria and Frankel grading system, it was evaluated for the clinical effects of all patients. RESULTS: The average operative duration was 140 (115-180) min and mean blood loss volume 329 (100-500) ml. The symptoms improved all greatly over an average follow-up period of 19 (3-44) months. According to the JOA criteria system, the outcomes were excellent (n = 9, 60%), good (n = 4, 26.6%) and fair (n = 2, 13.4%). Based on the Frankel grading system, 2 cases were classified as A (n = 2), 2 as B (n = 2), 4 as C (n = 4) and 7 as D (n = 7) preoperatively versus B (n = 1), C (n = 1), D (n = 4) and E (n = 9) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The combined approach of TLIF plus posterior laminectomy is anatomically simple, visually distinct, relatively safe, reliable and efficacious in treatment of thoracolumbar disc herniation.