Postoperative loss in segmental lumbar lordosis following L5–S1 anterior lumbar interbody fusion

ALIF offers powerful restoration of segmental alignment that is maintained after surgery. The extent of subsequent loss can be predicted by baseline obesity, the presence of posterior instrumentation, and the degree of achieved lordotic correction. Preoperative surgical planning should consider correcting L5-S1 segmental lordosis to between the thresholds defined in this study to mitigate the risk of postoperative mechanical complications.