Lowest Instrumented Vertebra Selection to S1 or Ilium Versus L4 or L5 in Adult Spinal Deformity: Factors for Consideration in 349 Patients With a Mean 46-Month Follow-Up
Yu-Cheng Yao, Han Jo Kim, Mathieu Bannwarth, Justin Smith, Shay Bess, Eric Klineberg, Christopher P Ames, Christopher I Shaffrey, Douglas Burton, Munish Gupta, Gregory M Mundis, Richard Hostin, Frank Schwab, Virginie Lafage, Yu-Cheng Yao, Han Jo Kim, Mathieu Bannwarth, Justin Smith, Shay Bess, Eric Klineberg, Christopher P Ames, Christopher I Shaffrey, Douglas Burton, Munish Gupta, Gregory M Mundis, Richard Hostin, Frank Schwab, Virginie Lafage
Abstract
Study design: Retrospective cohort study.
Objective: To compare the outcomes of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD) following spinal fusion with the lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV) at L4/L5 versus S1/ilium.
Methods: A multicenter ASD database was evaluated. Patients were categorized into 2 groups based on LIV levels-groups L (fusion to L4/L5) and S (fusion to S1/ilium). Both groups were propensity matched by age and preoperative radiographic alignments. Patient demographics, operative details, radiographic parameters, revision rates, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) scores were compared.
Results: Overall, 349 patients had complete data, with a mean follow-up of 46 months. Patients in group S (n = 311) were older and had larger sagittal and coronal plane deformities than those in group L (n = 38). After matching, 28 patients were allocated to each group with similar demographic, radiographic, and clinical parameters. Sagittal alignment restoration at postoperative week 6 was significantly better in group S than in group L, but it was similar in both groups at the 2-year follow-up. Fusion to S1/ilium involved a longer operating time, higher PJK rates, and greater PJK angles than that to L4/L5. There were no significant differences in the complication and revision rates between the groups. Both groups showed significant improvements in HRQOL scores.
Conclusions: Fusion to S1/ilium had better sagittal alignment restoration at postoperative week 6 and involved higher PJK rates and greater PJK angles than that to L4/L5. The clinical outcomes and rates of revision surgery and complications were similar between the groups.
Keywords: adult spinal deformity; complication; fusion rate; health-related quality of life scores; lowest instrumented level; propensity matched; proximal junctional kyphosis.
Source: PubMed