Introduction:

With increasing relevance of the postoperative spinopelvic alignment, achieving optimal restoration of segmental lordosis (SL) during transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has become increasingly important. However, despite the easier insertion of the straight cage, its potential to restore SL is still considered inferior to the preferred insert-and-rotate technique with a banana-shaped cage.

Research question:

To determine, if simple oblique insertion of a straight cage allows for an equally effective restoration of SL, but reduces risk for intraoperative cage subsidence requiring revision surgery.

Material and methods:

The authors retrospectively identified 81 patients who underwent single-level TLIF between 11/2017-03/2020. 40 patients were included in the straight cage group, 41 patients in the banana cage group. The authors determined pre- and postoperative SL from plain lateral radiographs. Bone density was analyzed on computed tomographs using Hounsfield unit (HU) values.

Results:

Both cage types were equally effective in restoring SL. However, 7.3% in the banana cage group, but none in the straight cage group, had to undergo revision surgery due to intraoperative cage subsidence. This was related to reduced bone density with lower HU values.

Discussion:

With an extended dorsal release, the straight cage may be equally effective in restoring SL. Since no repositioning is needed after oblique insertion, the straight cage might cause less intraoperative endplate violation.

Conclusion:

Provided an adequate surgical technique, both cage types might be equally effective in restoring SL after one-level TLIF surgery. However, the straight cage might represent the safer alternative in patients with reduced bone quality.