The Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion : The Comparison Between PLIF And TLIF

Objective: To probe the effect in the treatment of the unstable back pain in lower lumbar between Posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF)and Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), and to compare the two surgical skills as a reference for clinical application.Methods: To collect 66 patients with unstable or potentially unstable back pain in lower lumbar from the Orthopaedics in the Provincial Clinical College of Fujian Medical University during the period from January 2007 to February 2009, of which 36 patients have been operated with PLIF, the other 30 patients with TLIF.The two operations have been performed by the same group of doctors, and the average of follow-up time up to 27.3 months. To compare the two surgical skills in operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative hospital stay, intraoperative and postoperative complications In the near future, the improvement rate and quality rate in treatment, and the postoperative interbody fusion rate. And to analyze the reasons for the differences between the two surgical skills.Results: PLIF group have a result : the operative time was 181.4±32.9 minutes, the blood loss was 476.4±171.8 ml, the postoperative drainage was 393. 9±150.5 ml, the postoperative hospital stay was 11.9±7.4 days, the intraoperative and postoperative complications In the near future was 6 cases, the improvement rate in treatment was 66.8±12.8%, the quality rate in treatment was 91.7%, the postoperative interbody fusion rate was 100%; TLIF group have a result : the operative time was 146.7±28.5minutes, the blood loss was 366.7±119.1 ml, the postoperative drainage was 405.2±248.2 ml, the postoperative hospital stay was 8.2±3.4days, the intraoperative and postoperative complications In the near future was 0 case, the improvement rate in treatment was 68.3±12.3%, the quality rate in treatment was 90.0%, the postoperative interbody fusion rate was 100%.Results show that: TLIF group are less than PLIF group in the operation time, the blood loss, the postoperative hospital stay, and the intraoperative and postoperative complications In the near future, but there are not significant difference in the postoperative drainage, the rate of the improvement and the quality rate in treatment , and the postoperative interbody fusion rate (after a follow-up time more than 12 months).Conclusions: PLIF and TLIF both do good effects in the improvement rate and quality rate in treatment and the interbody fusion rate for the treatment of the unstable back pain in lower lumbar.TLIF group are less than PLIF group in the operation time, the blood loss, the postoperative hospital stay, and the intraoperative and postoperative complications In the near future. TLIF group are more advanced than PLIF group in the recurrence of lumbar disc and other second operations, and extremely lateral disc herniation.