Cage vs autologous bone grafting in PLIF surgery for spine fusion- randomized control trial

Abstract

Introduction: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) is been used increasingly for degenerative lumbar spine disease to achieve a 360 degree fusion. With the advent of newer techniques and instrumentations the results are good. Aim: To study the outcome of PLIF with cages and that with bone graft for degenerative Lumbar spinal canal stenosis. Material and Methods: We did a double blinded randomized controlled trial at single center. All patients who met with our inclusion criteria and operated from 2007 to 2010 were included in our study. The patients were followed up serially for 5 years for the final outcome. Modified Oswestry low back score and final CT scan based interpretations were applied. Results: Totally 101 patients were included in the study of which 53 underwent PLIF with titanium cage and rest 48 underwent PLIF with bone grafting. We found the results of union rates in both the groups were gratifying, but early and better results with fewer complications were in group with titanium cages. Conclusion: We fairly conclude that better and faster fusion rates with good ambulation can be achieved with titanium cages rather than bone grafting in degenerative lumbar spine disease.