Abstract
We report on the outcomes of postero-lateral fusion as the treatment for the degenerative lumbar diseases. Thirty-six patients (24 males and 12 females) were studied. Patients were divided into three groups.
Group 1) Postero-lateral with local bone
Group 2) Postero-lateral fusion with iliac bone
Group 3) Postero-lateral fusion with instrumentation.
The mean age at the time of surgery was 65.0 in Group 1, 65.5 in Group 2, and 65.2 in Group 3. We compared the three groups with regard to the degree of bone union observed on X-ray films.
Good bone union was achieved in 36.8% of Group 1 (local bone fusion group), 62.5% of Group 2 (iliac bone fusion group) and 77.8% of Group 3 (instrumentation).
Thus, it appears difficult to obtain rigid union with local bone in posterolateral fusion, it is better to use iliac bone or instrumentation in such cases.
