抄録
An interbody titanium mesh cage filled by cancellous bone chips in combination with a pedicle screw system was applied for patients with unstable lumbar spine complicated with neurological deficit. Surgical procedures consist of partial laminectomy including medial facetectomy, posterolateral fusion with a DYNALOK fixation system and posterior interbody fusion using a Sofamar Danek interbody fusion cage.
Eighteen cases have been operated on by this procedure from 1995 to 1998. They were 8 males and 10 females. The average age at operation was 64.3 years. Fusion disc levels were as follows: L2/3 in 3 cases, L3/4 in 1 case, L4/5 in 12 cases, L3/4 and L4/5 in 2 cases. The average follow-up period was 24.5 months taking from 6 to 34 months.
The average recovery rate was 80.3% according to the assessment criteria of the Japan Orthopaedic Association. All cases returned to social life without low back pain and motor disturbance. Operative complications such as neurological impairment and instrumentation failure were not observed. The average operating time was 3 hours 45 minutes and the operative bleeding volume was 1000ml on average.
In conclusion, an interbody titanium mesh cage combined with a pedicle screw system is one useful fusion method for patients with unstable lumbar spinal conditions.
