Posterior lumbar interbody fusion and segmental lumbar lordosis

Introduction The sagittal plane of body produces a convex curve anteriorly referred to as the lordotic curve. Malalignment of lordotic curve leads to low back disorders and lumbar spinal surgery has been known to cause this. This study was a retrospective analysis of the effects of posterior lumbar interbody fusion using cages on segmental lumbar lordosis. Materials and methods We conducted a retrospective study involving 27 patients of which 16 were females and 11 were males. All patients underwent single level posterior lumbar interbody fusion with insertion of non-wedged intervertebral cage and pedicle screw fixation. Intraoperatively, all patients had a change from knee chest position to prone to augment their lumbar lordosis. The minimum follow up was 2 years and fusion was achieved in 21 patients. Results Segmental lordotic angles increased from 15.2 degrees to 20.6 degrees at L4/5 level and from 17.8 degrees to 24.5 degrees at L5/S1 level, preoperative to postoperative, respectively (P < 0.01 at both levels). Conclusion Thus apparently, posterior lumbar interbody fusion with insertion of non-wedged intervertebral cage and pedicle screw fixation results in creation and maintenance of lumbar lordosis.