Clinical and Radiological Comparison between Three Different Minimally Invasive Surgical Fusion Techniques for Single-Level Lumbar Isthmic and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Minimally Invasive Surgical Posterolateral Fusion versus Minimally Invasive Surgical Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion versus Midline Lumbar Fusion

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Abstract

Introduction

Lumbar spine fusion is widely considered to be the best surgical strategy for the management of different symptomatic spinal pathologies, particularly cases with biomechanical instability and deformity [1,2]. To obtain satisfactory results, lumbar spine fusion should achieve stable spinal segments to eliminate any further degenerative changes and provide decompression of the neural elements. Different techniques and approaches have been reported to accomplish spinal fusion. However, each method is technically demanding and involves its specific instrumentation, eligibility, and drawbacks [3-5].

Recently, attention has been paid to minimally invasive spinal surgery (MISS) as a successful, leading treatment choice compared with open conventional methods for the management of different spinal disorders [6-8]. This is attributable to the rapid development of intraoperative imaging systems and the production of novel spinal instrumentation and fusion devices in addition to modern retraction equipment. Consequently, newer methods of MISS are being established, and the scope of its effectiveness has increased to include patients with deformity, trauma, spondylolisthesis, and even tumor. The basic aim of MISS is to limit surgical incision and soft tissue damage that is usually associated with open conventional methods [8-10]. Therefore, MISS achieves superior results in terms of lower postoperative back pain, intraoperative bleeding amount, and postoperative hospitalization period, with improved quality of life. MISS techniques involve a learning curve, and once the surgeon has achieved expertise in MISS principles, the incidence of the initial complications and consumption of time reduce [11,12].

Surgical management of lumbar spondylolisthesis can only be performed via decompression of the neural elements, posterolateral fusion (PLF), and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) [13]. Minimally invasive surgical (MIS)-PLF is performed through a limited skin incision and percutaneous instrumentation, providing better overall outcomes than conventional PLF [14]. TLIF is considered one of the best methods of interbody arthrodesis because it spares one facet joint, which provides more stability of the spinal segment and facilitates future revision surgeries. However, open conventional TLIF is injurious for the back muscles and soft tissue, making the overall results unsatisfactory [15,16]. Owing to the use of percutaneous screws and the rod assembly system and the advances in the retraction instruments, MIS-TLIF has minimized the limitations of the open conventional method by decreasing intraoperative bleeding, soft tissue damage, postoperative pain, and hospital stay [17,18].

Midline lumbar fusion (MIDLF) is a novel MIS fusion technique through which interbody fusion can be achieved via limited posterior midline incision and posterior instrumentation using novel cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws [19].

The original CBT screw is inserted in the cephalic and divergent orientation, opposite to the traditional pedicular screw’s trajectory (Fig. 1). This new trajectory allows the pedicular screws to engage the cortical bone of the dorsal lamina and the pedicle, enhancing biomechanical stability and the pullout strength of the CBT screws and decreasing the incidence of screw loosening [19,20]. We modified CBT (mCBT) to use larger and longer screws through variable insertion points to achieve the benefit of anterior load sharing (Fig. 2).

Fig. 1.

Comparison of the cortical bone screw trajectory with the traditional pedicle screw trajectory.

Fig. 2.

Variable insertion points for the modified cortical bone trajectory screw (pink dots).

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare these three different MIS techniques in the management of single-level lumbar spondylolisthesis. We retrospectively compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-PLF, MIS-TLIF, and MIDLF.

Materials and Methods

1. Patient demographics

From December 2011 to May 2015, 59 patients (25 men and 34 women) underwent single-level MIS fusion for lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS) (16 patients) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) (43 patients). Of all the patients, 22 underwent MIS-PLF (four patients with DS had lumbar canal stenosis, and decompression was performed with fusion), 15 underwent MIS-TLIF, and 22 underwent MIDLF. The minimum follow-up period was 1 year. All the MIS surgeries were performed by the same surgeon, whereas the type of operation performed for each patient was determined according to operator and patient preferences. The mean age of the patients was 70.6±9.1 years for the MIS-PLF group, 49.3±23.5 years for the MIS-TLIF group, and 62.7±16.2 years for the MIDLF group. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 23.4±4.2, 23.7±3.6, and 25±4.6 kg/m² for the MIS-PLF, MIS-TLIF, and MIDLF groups, respectively. The level of fusion was L1–L2 and L2–L3 in one patient, L4–L5 in 35, and L5–S1 in 22. The patients’ demographic characteristics and clinical data are presented in Table 1.

Table 1.

Patients’ demographic characteristics and clinical data

5. Surgical technique

MIS-PLF was performed through either single midline or para-midline incisions using the mini open-Wiltse approach wherein the surgical plane was between the multifidus and longissimus muscles. Thereafter, using a self-illuminating expandable retractor, we decorticated the lamina, facet joints, and medial part of the transverse process. Then, percutaneous pedicle screws were inserted and assembled with rods. A bone graft was applied bilaterally to the decorticated posterolateral gutter (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3.

(A, B) MIS-PLF via the mini-open Wiltse approach using a pipeline expandable retractor. Most MIS-PLF surgeries were performed by the technique described by Kotani. The above mentioned technique was only applied to the isthmic spondylolisthesis case (only one case). MIS-PLF, minimally invasive surgical-posterolateral fusion.

MIS-TLIF was performed through the mini-open Wiltse approach by removing the facet joint on the affected side. The disc space was prepared before inserting a single polyetheretherketone (PEEK) TLIF cage packed with autologous bone graft harvested from the posterior resected lamina and facets mixed with hydroxyapatite granules. Finally, pedicular screws were inserted directly via the miniopen Wiltse approach on the ipsilateral side and percutaneously on the contralateral side and assembled with rods (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4.

(A, B) Minimally invasive surgical-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via the unilateral mini-open Wiltse approach and percutaneous pedicle screws on the other side.

MIDLF includes TLIF and posterior instrumentation using novel mCBT screws with intraoperative CT (O-arm) image-guided navigation (Medtronic, Louisville, CO, USA). MIDLF was performed with a small, single posterior midline incision (3.5 cm). After the exposure of the posterior elements within the lateral margin of the facet joints, mCBT screws were inserted with O-arm navigation (Medtronic). The screws have a large diameter (>5.5 mm) and are inserted to engage the anterolateral part of the vertebral body. The orientation of the mCBT screws allows their insertion through the small incision without the need for dissection beyond the facet joints (Fig. 5). The entry point was created using high-speed burrs, followed by the insertion of a pedicle finder and tapping. Finally, the mCBT screws were applied. With the distraction applied between the mCBT screws, TLIF was performed with a PEEK cage packed with autologous bone graft and hydroxyapatite granules.

Fig. 5.

Midline lumbar fusion via a small, single, midline incision with modified cortical bone trajectory.

Results

Overall follow-up was performed for 92% of the cases; five patients were lost to follow-up (two in the MIS-PLF group, one in the MIS-TLIF group, and two in the MIDLF group). There was no significant difference in the sex distribution or BMI between the groups. The mean age of the patients in the MIS-TLIF group was significantly lower than that of the patients in the other groups.

The mean operation time was significantly shorter in the MIDLF group (111±23.98 minutes) than in the MISPLF (132±25.08 minutes) and MIS-TLIF groups (167±20.6 minutes). The mean bleeding amount was significantly lower in the MIDLF group (112.5±85.2 mL) than in the MIS-PLF (245±162.11 mL) and MIS-TLIF groups (283.7±104.66 mL).

The mean CRP values were significantly lower in the MIDLF group (1.38±1.2 mg/L) at POD1 than in the MIS-PLF (3.24±2.82 mg/L) and MIS-TLIF groups (2.07±0.88 mg/L); however, there was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of the mean CRP values at POD7. The mean CK values were significantly lower in the MIDLF group (POD1, 377±584 U/L; POD7, 66.86±32.4 U/L) than in the MIS-PLF (POD1, 606.38±326.71 U/L; POD7, 161.59±147.21 U/L) and MIS-TLIF groups (POD1, 780.33±458.74 U/L; POD7, 117.73±57.72 U/L).

All the groups showed significant improvements in the postoperative JOABPEQ score, VAS score, and ODI, whereas there was no significant difference between the groups. Clinical outcome scores at the 1-year follow-up are listed in Table 2.

Table 2.

Clinical outcome scores at the 1-year follow-up

MIDLF resulted in a greater increase in the LLA and SDA postoperatively. The mean increase in the LLA was 3.34°±8.23° for the MIS-PLF group, 3.17°±4.47° for the MIS-TLIF group, and 7.9°±11.8° for the MIDLF group. However, the mean increase in the SDA was 2.25°±4.42°, 1.38°±4.69°, and 3.64°±2.7° for each group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of restoration of anterior DH, whereas the MIDLF (2.8±2.5 mm) and MIS-TLIF groups (2.73±2.85 mm) showed a significant increase in the middle DH compared with that observed in the MIS-PLF group (0.28±1.99 mm). Moreover, the MIDLF group showed a greater increase in the posterior DH (1.19±2.65 mm) compared with that observed in the MIS-PLF (0.33±1.95 mm) and MIS-TLIF groups (0.17±1.7 mm).

The percentage loss of correction at 6 months postoperatively was lower in the MIDLF group (2.6%) than in the MIS-PLF (5.2%) and MIS-TLIF (4.2%) groups. The fusion rate was 100% in the MIDLF and MIS-TLIF groups (Figs. 6, 7), whereas it was 90% in the MIS-PLF group, with two cases of nonunion. The incidence of screw loosening was lower in the MIDLF group (4.76%) than in the MIS-PLF (10%) and MIS-TLIF (7.14%) groups. One patient of the MIS-PLF group who had nonunion underwent revision after 1 year using MIDLF. Another patient with L5–S1 IS in the MIS-PLF group developed pseudoarthrosis, which was revised by extending the fusion to L4–S2. S1 pedicular screw malposition was revised immediately intraoperatively in the MIS-PLF group. One patient with L4–L5 DS in the MIS-TLIF group had L3–L4 decompression one week postoperatively. The operative and radiological results are shown in Table 3.

Fig. 6.

(A–E) L5–S1 minimally invasive surgical-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for L5 isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Fig. 7.

(A–E) L5–S1 midline lumbar fusion with modified cortical bone trajectory for L5 isthmic spondylolisthesis.

Table 3.

Operative and radiological results

Discussion

Recently, considerable advances have been made in MIS techniques for lumbar spine fusion, with the development of intraoperative imaging facilities and retraction systems. MIS techniques are considered in the management of different spinal pathologies [8,11]. Many publications have reported the advantages of these techniques over open conventional methods, and early results were favorable [11,12,14,18].

Kotani et al. [14] reported better results with MIS-PLF than with PLF in terms of reduction in low back pain and improvement in the clinical outcomes of the patients, with reduction in intraoperative and postoperative blood loss and a comparable fusion rate in both the groups. Many authors have reported superior results of MIS-TLIF compared with those of conventional open TLIF in terms of functional outcome, postoperative pain, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative blood transfusion, and hospital stay. There was no significant difference in the fusion rates of both groups [1,18].

However, thus far, few studies have compared these different MIS techniques. In the present study, we compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of MIS-PLF, MIS-TLIF, and MIDLF for the management of single-level lumbar IS and DS.

MIDLF is a recent MIS fusion technique that comprises transforaminal interbody arthrodesis and posterior instrumentation using CBT screws [20]. The use of CBT screws is a recent technique of posterior lumbar spinal instrumentation that allows the engagement of the screws to the hard cortical bone of the lamina with better anchoring than that using traditional pedicular screws. Being inserted in a divergent trajectory, CBT screws do not require dissection beyond the facet joints for their insertions [19,20].

Matsukawa et al. [21] conducted a biomechanical study and reported higher insertion torque of CBT screws than that of traditional screws. It may be particularly important when performing lumbar fusion in older patients with poor bone density.

The original CBT technique utilized small and short screws with a high incidence of screw breakage. Moreover, they lacked anterior load sharing. Therefore, we replace the original CBT screws by the modified CBT screws that are longer, have a larger diameter, and provide superior engagement with the anterior vertebral body.

In the present study, MIS-TLIF showed significantly less satisfactory results in terms of intraoperative bleeding amount and operation time than that observed with MIS-PLF and MIDLF owing to limited access to the interbody space, which required more soft tissue dissection and invasiveness. Peng et al. [22] and Shunwu et al. [23] reported longer operation time with MIS-TLIF because of a narrow field of view and difficult access to the disc space in addition to the high technical skill required for this technique, wherein the surgeon should be familiar with the approach and anatomical landmarks.

The advantage of MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF via the miniopen Wiltse approach is the absence of extensive muscle dissection because these techniques can be performed via the muscular plane between the multifidus and longissimus muscles with less muscle injury than conventional PLF and TLIF. While the drawbacks of MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF were the narrow field of view, use of only two-dimensional image, and a significant learning curve at that time that complicated the procedure, resulting in a longer operation time and more intraoperative bleeding, particularly for MIS-TLIF. Lack of cortical bone support and low pullout strength of the traditional pedicular screw in the MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF techniques led to the higher incidence of screw loosening and higher loss of correction at 6 months postoperatively. However, overall, the interbody fusion methods (MIS-TLIF and MIDLF) showed a significantly better fusion rate and were significantly more effective in restoring middle DH than MIS-PLF.

MIDLF could be performed through a small midline incision with minimal soft tissue injury. It was associated with a significantly shorter operation time and significantly lower values of soft tissue invasiveness parameters (CRP and CK). The orientation of mCBT screw insertion did not require dissection beyond the facet joints. This reduced the damage to the posterior ramus and resulted in significantly less bleeding than with MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF. The higher insertion torque and pullout strength of mCBT screws used in MIDLF was associated with less screw loosening and loss of correction at 6 months postoperatively and a higher fusion rate. Mizuno et al. [20] reported the clinical and radiological outcomes of MIDLF using CBT with better recovery of the postoperative inflammatory markers due to its minimal invasiveness. Further, it allows fusion, decompression, and instrumentation through the same approach. (20)The interbody fusion together with mCBT made MIDLF more effective in restoring the LLA, SDA, and DH than MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF. The relatively fewer number of cases in the MIS-PLF and MIS-TLIF groups was a study limitation. Further, it was not a randomized controlled study. The learning curve of these high technically demanding techniques may have influenced the outcomes. The inclusion of IS and DS cases in the same study was another limitation. More studies that analyze the outcomes of different MIS fusion techniques are required.

Conclusions

The clinical and radiological performances of the three types of MIS fusion techniques in the management of lumbar IS and DS were compared. There was no significant difference between the three groups in terms of fusion, screw loosening, correction of slippage, loss of correction, and correction of sagittal alignment. MIDLF provided less invasiveness with significantly shorter operation time, less bleeding amount, and lower values of invasiveness markers. This could be attributed to the single, small midline incision of MIDLF with easier access to the disc space than with the narrow access and greater muscle retraction of the mini-open Wiltse approach of MIS-TLIF and MIS-PLF.

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