Spine - 2026-03-15 - Journal Article
Achieving Greater Segmental Lordosis With Intraoperative Mechanical Hinging and Bilateral Facetectomies in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
Chaliparambil RK, Krushelnytskyy M, Alwakeal A, Mittal M, Hassan MT, Texakalidis P, Kemeny H, El Tecle N, Dahdaleh NS, Koski T
Topics
Key Takeaway
MIS-TLIF with intraoperative table hinging and bilateral Smith-Petersen osteotomies achieved mean segmental lordosis correction of 5.0° at 1-level and 4.6° at 2-level fusions, maintained at 6 months.
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Summary
This retrospective study evaluated whether intraoperative table hinging combined with bilateral facetectomies (Smith-Petersen osteotomies) during MIS-TLIF could improve segmental lordosis (SL) compared to preoperative values. In 202 patients, mean postoperative SL correction was 5.0° (1-level) and 4.6° (2-level), with 6-month corrections of 4.6° and 6.6° respectively, all reaching statistical significance. A negative correlation between preoperative SL and postoperative correction (R=-0.31) indicates patients with the least preoperative lordosis gained the most from the technique.
Key Limitation
Absence of a concurrent control group and lack of patient-reported outcome measures (ODI, VAS) prevent any conclusion about whether the radiographic lordosis gains translate to functional benefit.
Original Abstract
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective study.
OBJECTIVE
We add to the literature a series of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) cases using a minimally invasive surgical [minimally invasive surgery (MIS)] approach with the use of a mechanically hinging operating table and bilateral facetectomies (Smith-Petersen osteotomy).
BACKGROUND
TLIF with interbody cages is understood to have a poor preservation of lordosis in the literature and can often be a kyphosing procedure. Intraoperative flexion using a hinged operating table to increase interbody spacing for cage placement, followed by intraoperative extension to facilitate osteotomy closure, may allow a greater degree of segmental lordosis (SL) to be achieved and maintained.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We identified patients from 2018 to 2024 who underwent MIS-TLIF at our institution. Clinical and operative variables collected included age, sex, body mass index, hemoglobin A1C, smoking status, postsurgical Baastrup disease, indications for surgery, fusion level, and spacer details. Radiographic variables included SL at preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative time points. Outcomes included postsurgical correction and 6-month correction. Clinical and radiographic findings were analyzed with standard statistical approaches.
RESULTS
Two hundred two patients met the inclusion criteria. For 1-level and 2-level fusion, the mean postsurgical correction was 5.0° and 4.6°, respectively, and the mean 6-month correction was 4.6° and 6.6°, respectively. Significant differences in lordosis were appreciated between preoperative and postoperative scans for both 1-level ( P < 0.0001) and 2-level ( P = 0.0017) fusion, and between preoperative and 6-month scans for 1-level ( P < 0.0001) fusion. Negative correlations were appreciated between preoperative and postoperative SL (R = -0.31, P = 0.0001) and preoperative SL and 6-month correction (R = -0.19, P = 0.0289) for 1-level fusions.
CONCLUSION
The use of an intraoperative hinging surgical table during MIS-TLIF with bilateral Smith-Petersen osteotomies can effectively lead to an increase in and maintenance of SL.