[Effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw in treatment of moderate and severe lumbar spondylolisthesis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw for the treatment of moderate or severe lumbar spondylolisthesis (LSL).

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with LSL treated with TLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw between June 2010 and June 2012. There were 20 males and 12 females, with the mean age of 48 years (range, 36-69 years). LSL occurred at the L4,5 in 17 patients and at the L5, S1 in 15 patients. Of them, 18 cases were rated as Meyerding grade II, and 14 cases as grade III. The disease duration was 8 months to 6 years (mean, 3.5 years). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and preoperative and postoperative (1 week and 1 year) intervertebral height and slipping angle were recorded, and the slipping rate was calculated; Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used for clinical efficacy assessment.

RESULTS: The operation time was 90-130 minutes (mean, 110 minutes); intraoperative blood loss was 120-300 mL (mean, 210 mL). Incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 24-36 months (mean, 28 months), and no complications of leakage of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve root injury occurred; X-ray films showed satisfactory reduction of spondylolisthesis and good position of pedicle screw and interbody fusion cage. The mean bone fusion time was 4.0 months (range, 3.8-6.0 months). The JOA score, slipping rate, slipping angle, and intervertebral height at 1 week and 1 year after operation were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found between at 1 week and at 1 year after operation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: TLIF via Luxor retractor associated with Mantis pedicle screw fixation is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique in treating moderate or severe LSL.