Efficacy of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease with osteoporosis in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease with osteoporosis in the elderly. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From February 2020 to January 2021, 40 elderly patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease with osteoporosis admitted to our hospital were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either MIS-TLIF plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation (group A) or TLIF plus cement augmentation (group B), with 19 cases in group A and 21 cases in group B. Outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA), operative duration, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative drainage volume, and the incidence of complications. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine and computed tomography (CT) were performed 3 days after surgery to observe the distribution of bone cement. At 12 months postoperatively, the fusion of the bone graft was evaluated according to the Bridwell intervertebral fusion criteria based on the lumbar frontal and lateral radiographs. RESULTS: All 40 cases completed the surgery successfully and were followed up for 12 months. The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of operative duration (p>0.05). MIS-TLIF plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation was associated with significantly less intraoperative bleeding volume (142.25±40.93 mL) and (76.25±17.54 mL) vs. TLIF plus cement augmentation (322.00±93.45 mL, 159.75±54.74 mL) (p<0.05). The difference in the VAS scores, ODI, and JOA scores between the two groups preoperatively and at the final follow-up showed no statistical significance (p>0.05). Patients receiving MIS-TLIF plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation had significantly lower VAS scores and ODI and higher JOA scores vs. TLIF plus cement augmentation (p<0.05). The lumbar frontal and lateral radiographs and CT of the two groups 3 days after surgery showed good cement distribution and no cement leakage. At the final follow-up, no complications were seen in group A, and there was one case of intervertebral cement leakage in group B. The intervertebral graft fusion was grade I in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: MIS-TLIF plus cement-augmented pedicle screw fixation shortens the operative time, alleviates postoperative pain, facilitates operative lumbar spine function restoration, and provides favorable intervertebral implant fusion.