LATERAL EXTREME LUMBAR ARTHRODESIS: CONSOLIDATION AND COMPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of extreme-lateral arthrodesis (XLIF) in the lumbar spine, focusing on bone consolidation of the stand-alone XLIF implant and investigating associated complications. Methodology: This is an observational, cross-sectional, retrospective and quantitative study. Electronic medical records and X-ray images of patients with degenerative disc disease and chronic low back pain were reviewed, who underwent surgery using the XLIF technique with stand-alone interbody implants between L1 and L4, in a tertiary hospital, from 2022 to 2023. The sample included patients between 18 and 65 years old, with complete medical records and outpatient follow-up for at least 12 months. Results: 112 patients were analyzed, of which 35 were eligible, the majority were female (60%) and an average age of 53 years. During surgery, cases with anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL) injury and endplate injury, which progressed to posterior complementation, were excluded from the analysis. No patient showed posterior migration, and only 1 patient showed no consolidation on X-ray after 1 year. Conclusion: This study suggests the efficacy and safety of extreme-lateral arthrodesis (XLIF) in the consolidation of the lumbar spine, with low rates of complications and reoperations. Level of Evidence III; Systematic Review of Level III Study.