Objective:

To observe the clinical and radiological effect of crenel lateral interbody fusion (CLIF) procedure in the management of lumbar spine adjacent segment degenerative (ASD).

Methods:

Thirty-seven patients with lumbar spine ASD who underwent the CLIF procedure between June 2018 and December 2019 were included in the study. There were 13 males and 24 females, with a mean age of 64.30 ± 5.92 years. The VAS score of the back (VAS_Back) and legs (VAS_Leg), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, the height of the intervertebral space (HIS), the height of the intervertebral foramen (HIF), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vertebral canal, segmental lordosis (SL), and lumbar lordosis (LL) were recorded before the operation, 2 weeks after the operation, 3 months after the operation, and at the last follow-up respectively. Clinical and radiological outcomes before and after the surgery were compared, and correlation and regression analyses were performed.

Results:

There were no vascular and nerve-related complications during the operation. The average follow-up time was 16.63 ± 4.24 months. The median of both VAS_Back and VAS_Leg was 7 before surgery and 1 at the last follow-up. Meanwhile, the average preoperative ODI score, HIS, HIF, CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL was (67.48 ± 7.17) %, (4.80 ± 0.73) mm, (12.95 ± 2.07) mm, (59.52 ± 9.22) mm² , (37.22 ± 5.92)° and (4.78 ± 1.99)°, respectively. At the final follow-up, ODI score, HIS, HIF, CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL was (7.07 ± 2.66) %, (9.44 ± 0.61) mm, (17.30 ± 1.90) mm, (70.49 ± 8.95) mm² , (44.67 ± 6.38)° and (13.44 ± 3.27)°, respectively. In the VAS_Back, VAS_Leg, ODI score, LL, SL, HIS, HIF, and CSA of the vertebral canal, the difference between preoperative and 2 weeks after the operation, 3 months after the operation, and the last follow-up were statistically significant (P < 0.05). However, the difference was not statistically significant between each time point after the operation in the CSA of the vertebral canal, LL, and SL (P > 0.05). Nonetheless, the difference was statistically significant in ODI between each time point after the operation (P < 0.05). VAS_Leg was associated with HIS, HIF, and CSA of the vertebral canal, while LL and SL were risk factors for low back pain.

Conclusion:

Crenel lateral interbody fusion is an effective procedure in the management of lumbar ASD. Not only was the postoperative swift recovery due to minimal invasion, but also adequate LL and SL were achievable.