Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion with titanium cage

Background and aim Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and interbody cages are widely used surgical procedures for lumbar canal stenosis because of degenerative unstable spine. Materials like cobalt, stainless steel, titanium, chromium, and polyether ether ketone are used for interbody cages. Our aim of the study is to evaluate the radiological and clinical outcomes of utilizing a titanium cage in augmentation with a pedicle screw through lumber interbody fusion PLIF. Patients and methods This prospective case series study was performed in Orthopedic Surgery Department of Al-Azhar University Hospital, Assiut, on 20 patients with lumber canal stenosis due to degenerative disc disease who need PLIF. Results Preoperatively, 1 day after surgery and 3 months later, patients were evaluated for the severity of their low back pain using a percentage value as determined by their visual analog scale score. The maximal score preoperative was 9 and the minimal was 6 with a mean of 7.35±0.99. While, on 1 day the maximal score was 4 and the minimal was 2, at third and sixth months, the maximal score was 1 and the minimal was 0, with the mean of visual analog scale score significantly (0.47±0.7, 0.31±0.9, and 0.52±2.8, respectively) improved at different follow-up times. Conclusion One hundred percent of patients had complete fusion at 3 months, and 90% had excellent radiological results at 6 months. Most patients had complete fusion at 6 months, with some showing grade 3 or 4 fusion postoperative complications, including dural tear, mal-positioned screw, and persistent numbness with sciatica, but no delayed complications were found.