Full-Percutaneous Trans-Kambin Lumbar Interbody Fusion With a Large-Footprint Interbody Cage.

Study Design: Exploratory prospective observational cohort.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiologic outcome, and surgical efficiency of a novel universal delivery system that allows full-percutaneous extraforaminal, trans-Kambin lumbar interbody fusion with a large-footprint lumbar interbody cage using only fluoroscopic imaging and open-surgery instrumentation.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients that underwent elective trans-Kambin TLIF surgery with a large-footprint interbody cage using a novel universal delivery system. Clinical follow-up was evaluated pre-and post-operatively with Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, while radiologic follow-up was performed with a computed tomography scan and standing films post-operatively at hospital discharge and 1 year follow-up.

Results: A total of 47 patients were evaluated. Clinically, post-operative VAS and ODI scores significantly ( < 0.001) improved compared to pre-operative scores and 29.4 months mean follow-up. Radiologic evaluation yielded an intervertebral fusion rate of 90% of the operated levels and a significant increase in segmental lordosis by 3.7°. Median surgical time for interbody cage insertion per level was 28 minutes. Complications included 14 (29%) cases with transitory post-operative radiculitis, 4 (8%) cases with partial muscle weakness and 2 (4%) cases that required revision surgery. Post-operative ambulation started at a median 5 hours and median hospital length of stay was 28 hours.

Conclusions: A new universal delivery system allows overcoming most limitations of current full-endoscopic trans-Kambin fusion as it allows a time- efficient full-percutaneous insertion of a large-footprint interbody cage under fluoroscopy imaging only, with standard open-surgery instruments and optional endoscopic visualization.