Clinical and radiological outcome of minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion in primary versus revision surgery

PURPOSE The aim of this study is to compare the clinical and radiological outcome of minimally invasive posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MI-PLIF) in revision and primary cases. METHODS In a retrospective study, we compared the clinical and radiological results of MI-PLIF for lytic spondylolisthesis (n = 28) and recurrent radiculopathy after herniated disc surgery (n = 28). Clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analogue score (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Quality of life was assessed with the Euroqol-5d (EQ5D), the EQ5D VAS and the WHOQOL-BREF. RESULTS The follow-up was 5.1 (SD 2.3) years. The decrease in VAS scores was significant and comparable in both groups. We found significantly better ODI and quality of life scores for the patients with lytic spondylolisthesis. The radiological outcome showed only one non-union, and subsidence occurred in both groups at an equal amount. CONCLUSION The MI-PLIF technique is a safe procedure with only few complications and a high fusion rate. It was successful in both groups, but the quality of life and ODI are better in primary cases.