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COMPLICATIONS AND SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLIF CASES WITH CARBON FIBER INTERBODY CAGES AND STEFFEE PEDICLE SCREWS AND PLATES COMPLICATIONS AND SURGICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN PLIF CASES WITH CARBON FIBER INTERBODY CAGES AND STEFFEE PEDICLE SCREWS AND PLATES A retrospective review of 50 consecutive patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with a carbon fiber cage and posterolateral fusion using Steffee VSP pedicle screw and plate instrumentation is presented. Cases were reviewed for perioperative complications, operative blood loss and operative time. There were 6 dural tears, three transient sensory deficits, and two cases of deep venous thrombosis. Operative blood loss for primary cases averaged 269cc for a single level and 569cc for two levels. Cases with prior surgery averaged 378cc for a single level and 470cc for two levels fused. Operative time for primary cases averaged 202 minutes for a single level and 251 minutes for two levels fused. Patients with prior surgery required 208 minutes for a single level and 251 minutes for two levels fused. PLIF with instrumented posterolateral fusion can be performed with a low rate of intraoperative complications. Blood loss and operative time can compare favorably with alternative methods of obtaining 360-degree fusion. Back to Papers and Presentations |
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