Indirect foraminal decompression after XXXX : a prospective radiographic study using a new pedicle-to-pedicle technique.

@entity1797 @entity1347 @entity1 @entity1515
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: A frequently quoted advantage of @entity1347 ( @entity1347 ) is indirect foraminal decompression, although there are few studies substantiating this statement. Also, there are no clinical studies using a standardized method to measure the foraminal area (FA) and the correlation with @entity1797 ( @entity1797 ) parameters. This study is proposed to measure the degree of indirect foraminal decompression radiologically using a standardized method and correlate with the intervertebral disc parameters. PURPOSE: To standardize the foramen measurement technique. To measure indirect neural foraminal decompression in surgically operated @entity1 after @entity1347 using radiographic measurement and elucidate factors affecting foraminal restoration. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. @entity1 SAMPLE: A continuous cohort of @entity1 undergoing @entity1347 surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: It included FA, foraminal height (FH), and foraminal width. METHODS: This is a prospective analysis of a single surgeon series of consecutive @entity1 undergoing an @entity1347 from 2011 to 2013. Pre- and postoperative computed tomography scans were used to obtain a standardized foramen snapshot using the pedicle-to-pedicle (P-P) technique, and measurements were obtained using image j software. Radiologic parameters such as @entity1797 , local disc angle (LDA), and @entity1515 ( @entity1515 ) were measured using radiographs and Surgimap software. RESULTS: One-hundred forty @entity1 with 184 levels were operated. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion resulted in a statistically significant (p<.01) improvement in foraminal dimensions (area=67%, height=21%, and width=38%). Other parameters also significantly improved, including anterior @entity1797 (90%), posterior @entity1797 (77%), LDA, and @entity1515 (6%). Posterior @entity1797 correlated significantly with FH improvement. Statistically, the P-P technique presented with high intra- and interclass reliabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion results in significant indirect foraminal decompression based on the new P-P technique. Posterior @entity1797 is a significant factor in the restoration of the FH.
