Unilateral versus bilateral Pedicle Screw Fixation associated with interbody fusion in degenerative Lumbar spine diseases

Abstract

urgical procedures that include both posterolateral and interbody fusion have demonstrated high fusion rates and good clinical results. These procedures have distinct advantages including anterior column load sharing, large surface areas for fusion, restoration of a normal sagittal profile, and the achievement of passive foraminal decompression. Lumbar interbody fusion is a recognized surgical technique in treatment of degenerative lumbar instability. Interbody fusion supplemented with pedicle screw fixation has several advantages over posterolateral fusion and has been advocated to improve fusion rates and clinical outcomes. Interbody fusion places the bone graft in the loadbearing position of the anterior and middle spinal columns thereby enhancing the potential for fusion. In addition, the interbody space has more vascularity than the posterolateral space, also increasing the potential for a solid fusion mass to form.