Two-year radiographic and clinical outcomes of a minimally invasive, lateral, transpsoas approach for anterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine radiographic and clinical outcomes in the treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis using a minimally invasive (MI) lateral approach for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (IBF). Methods A prospective study of 24 consecutive degenerative scoliosis patients treated with MI, 90° lateral, transpsoas approach for anterior IBF was conducted. Twenty-one patients (88 %) were available for at least 12 months follow-up (mean 24 months). Results Mean operating time, estimated blood loss, and length of stay was 218 min, 68 mL, and 2.2 days, respectively. Complications occurred in one (5 %) case, a postoperative foot drop. At the last follow-up, disability improved by 50 % from 48.4 to 24.4. Back pain improved by 59 % from 7.0 to 2.9. Leg pain improved by 41 % from 5.6 to 3.3. In patients with a baseline score greater than 2.0, leg pain decreased by 42 % from 6.6 to 3.8. SF-36 physical component score improved by 41 % from 28.0 to 39.6, while mental component score increased by 18 % from 42.2 to 49.8. All changes were statistically significant, p < 0.05. Cobb angle was corrected from 27.7° to 16.6° and lumbar lordosis increased 39 % from −31.8° to −44.0°. Disc height increased from 5.7 to 11.6 mm, segmental lordosis increased by 48 % from 11.6° to 17.2°, and foraminal height increased from 16.4 to 21.7 mm. At the last follow-up, 100 % of patients were satisfied with their outcome, and 86 % would undergo the same procedure again. No revisions occurred. Conclusions MI lateral IBF in the treatment of degenerative scoliosis results in lower complication rates and clinical and radiographic outcomes equivalent to reports in the literature of conventional approaches.