Minimally invasive dorsal decompression-stabilization surgery in patients with overweight and obesity

Spinal surgery in patients with overweight and obesity is associated with an increased risk of perioperative complications. Minimally invasive (MIS-TLIF) and traditional (O-TLIF) techniques of rigid stabilization are extensively used, but the advantages and disadvantages of MIS-TLIF in patients with an elevated body mass index (BMI) remain controversial. AIM: The study aim was to assess the efficacy of a new low-invasive rigid fixation technique and traditional open spinal fusion in surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spine diseases in patients with overweight and obesity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: . Two study groups were allocated: group I (MIS-TLIF, n=32) included patients operated on using an original technique of spinal canal reconstruction, interbody spinal fusion, and combined transpedicular stabilization; group II (O-TLIF, n=41) included patients who underwent single-level rigid stabilization through the median approach. The mean follow-up period was 34 months in group I and 40 months in group II. Comparative analysis assessed clinical parameters, intraoperative indicators, postoperative period specificity, instrumental data, and complications. RESULTS: Compared to the O-TLIF group, the MIS-TLIF group was characterized by a shorter time of surgery, X-ray exposure, activation, and hospital stay as well as by a smaller amount of blood loss. A comparative analysis of the pain severity (visual analogue scale) and performance status (ODI) in the follow-up period revealed significantly better results in group I, which was associated with smaller intraoperative injury to soft tissues. The total rate of postoperative complications was 9% in group I and 17% in group II (p=0.01). In this case, the interbody bone block formed in the long-term postoperative period in 88% of group I patients and in 83% of group II patients (p=0.15). According to the instrumental data, there was statistically significant greater muscular atrophy in the group after O-TLIF (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The original technique of minimally invasive rigid stabilization is safe and highly effective in surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar spine diseases in patients with overweight and obesity. MIS-TLIF has a number of significant advantages over O-TLIF in the dynamics of clinical parameters and a low number of perioperative complications, which is confirmed by smaller injury to paravertebral tissues and a better performance status in the long-term postoperative period.