Anterior lumbar discectomy and fusion: an effective technique in treating lumbar disc herniation—— a retrospective case study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08390-9 · Published: February 3, 2025

Simple Explanation

Lumbar disc herniation happens when the soft cushion between the bones in your lower back ruptures, causing pain and nerve compression. Surgery is often needed when other treatments don't work. ALDF involves removing the damaged disc from the front and fusing the bones together. This study checks if ALDF is safe and works well for L5-S1 disc herniation. This study looked back at 44 patients who had ALDF for a specific type of disc herniation. They checked how well the surgery relieved pain and improved function using scores and imaging.

Study Duration

December 2020 to April 2023

Participants

44 patients with L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation

Evidence Level

Retrospective case study

Key Findings

1
ALDF effectively alleviates symptoms of lumbar disc herniation, with significant improvements in JOA, ODI, and NRS scores postoperatively.
2
The surgery also significantly increased intervertebral disc height and the cross-sectional area of the dural sac, indicating successful decompression.
3
X-ray re-examination 6 months after surgery showed bony fusion in all operated segments.

Research Summary

This retrospective study evaluated the clinical efficacy and safety of Anterior Lumbar Discectomy Fusion (ALDF) for treating L5/S1 lumbar disc herniation. The results showed significant improvements in clinical symptoms, intervertebral disc height, and dural sac cross-sectional area after ALDF surgery. The study concludes that ALDF is an effective treatment strategy for patients with lumbar disc herniation, allowing direct removal of protruding discs and calcified ligaments.

Practical Implications

Effective Treatment Option

ALDF is a viable surgical option for patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation, particularly at the L5/S1 level.

Minimally Invasive

The retroperitoneal approach minimizes surgical trauma and allows for direct visualization and decompression of the neural structure.

Reduced Complications

The use of self-anchoring fusion devices reduces the need for additional fixation, minimizing surgical trauma and potential complications.

Study Limitations

1
Long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor complications such as adjacent segment disease.
2
Preoperative imaging and postoperative observations may influence the length of hospital stay.
3
Retrospective analysis with a single surgeon series may have inherent biases.

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