TLIF Technique for Treatment of Foraminal Lumbar Disc Herniation in Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Aim: The purpose of the study was to examine a group of patients with unilateral radicular pain caused by foraminal lumbar disc herniation in isthmic spondylolisthesis and treated surgically using pedicle screw stabilisation and TLIF technique with a banana-shaped interbody cage, and to compare this approach with other surgical techniques. Material and methods: In 2011 and 2012, a total of 32 patients underwent surgical treatment of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis. In a group of nine patients, acute unilateral radicular pain was the main clinical manifestation. Foraminal lumbar disc herniation was found on the MRI in all patients in the group. Herniation was removed, the foramen decompressed and a banana-shaped cage in combination with pedicle screw fixation was implanted using a posterior approach. Results: Radicular pain rapidly improved after the surgery in all patients. On the VAS, leg pain improved from the mean of 7.3 before the surgery to 0.4 24 month after the surgery, back pain from 4.3 to 2.2 and the mean for ODI improved from 48 to 15. Neither wound healing problem nor neurological deterioration was found. X-ray revealed solid interbody fusion in all patients. Conclusion:The ALIF technique combined with pedicle screw fixation requires two surgeries, one with ventral, one with dorsal surgical approach. The PLIF technique is associated with epidural scarring and an increased risk of dural injury. The TLIF technique eliminates the risk of epidural scarring, its effectiveness in achieving solid bony interbody fusion is comparable with other interbody fusion techniques and it enables straightforward elimination of foraminal herniation.