Comparison of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion performed with unilateral pedicle screw fixation or unilateral pedicle screw-contralateral percutaneous transfacet screw fixation.

PURPOSE: To determine whether unilateral pedicle screw fixation is comparable with unilateral pedicle screw and contralateral percutaneous transfacet screw fixation in single-level lumbar spinal fusion. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were divided into either unilateral (n = 32) or unilateral pedicle screw and contralateral percutaneous transfacet screw fixation (n = 26) instrumentation groups. The operating time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, clinical outcomes, total lumbar scoliotic changes, and fusion and complication rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in blood loss, length of hospital stay, clinical results, total lumbar scoliotic changes, and fusion and complication rates. There were significant differences in duration of operating time between 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral pedicle screw fixation may be as effective as unilateral PS with contralateral percutaneous transfacet screw fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disorders.