Extreme Lateral Interbody FusionFUSION (XLIF) Versus Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) (XLIF)

Structural and Funcional Outcomes of Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Compared to Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

Since the first successful spinal fusion surgery using a modern stabilization technique in 1909, surgical fusion has become one of the most commonly performed procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. The incidence of lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative conditions has more than doubled from 2000 until 2009. Despite the high incidence of fusion surgery, the decision making in lumbar fusion surgery is complicated by a wide variety of indications (the greatest measured in any surgical procedure). This could indicate there might be an overuse of lumbar fusion. However, decompression alone, or non-operative care for degenerative conditions may risk progressive spinal instability, intractable pain, and neurological impairment. These complications in the absence of fusion surgery, clearly demonstrate the beneficial effects of adding spinal fusion surgery. Because of its beneficial effect and high usage, it is of greatest importance to reduce postoperative disability and pain, by diminishing surgical invasiveness. Traditional open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are used to treat degenerative diseases of the spinal column. These techniques require an extensive dissection of the paraspinal musculature, which in term can lead to muscle denervation, loss of function, muscular atrophy, and spinal instability. It has also been known that paraspinal muscle damage induced during surgery is related to long term disability and pain. With this knowledge, minimally invasive spine surgery began to develop in the mid-twentieth century. Since then, new direct approaches to the lumbar spine, known as lumbar lateral interbody fusion (LLIF), direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF), or extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF), have been introduced. This study will focus on XLIF. Ozgur. 2006 first reported the XLIF procedure, as a minimally invasive procedure that approaches the spine from the lateral via the space between the 12th rib and the highest point of the iliac crest. This approach allows direct access to the intervertebral disc space without disruption of the peritoneal structures or posterior paraspinal musculature. Ohba. 2017 compared XLIF with percutaneous pedicle screws to traditional PLIF, and found that PLIF was associated with less intraoperative blood loss, postoperative white blood cell (WBC) counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and creatine kinases (CK) levels, indicating less muscle damage. Postoperative recovery of performance was significantly faster in the XLIF group. 1-year disability and pain scores were also significantly lower in the XLIF group. Despite these significant better results reported in the XLIF group, the systematic review of Barbagallo. 2015 concluded that there is insufficient evidence of the comparative effectiveness of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) versus PLIF/ TLIF surgery. This indicates that the evidence for choosing between XLIF or a traditional approach is still scarce, and no recommendations can be made. This study will focus on comparing XLIF to PLIF. The objective of this study is to compare clinical and structural outcome measures between the XLIF and PLIF groups, to confirm our hypothesis that the minimally invasiveness of the XLIF technique facilitates a significant faster post-operative recovery, and improves functional and structural outcomes.

the XLIF procedure, a minimally invasive procedure that approaches the spine from the lateral via the space between the 12th rib and the highest point of the iliac crest.

open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are used to treat degenerative diseases of the spinal column.

From each participant a sample will be obtained from the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscle before (T0) and after lumbar surgery (T4). These samples will be obtained using a minimally invasive ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsy technique using a local anesthetic. The samples will be immediately frozen. After cutting these will be used for immunofluorescent staining for myosin heavy chain I, IIA, and IIX. These staining's will be analyzed to measure muscle fiber size and number. These data will be used to evaluate within and between group differences in atrophy or shift in muscle fiber typing.

From each participant a sample will be obtained from the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscle before (T0) and after lumbar surgery (T4). These samples will be obtained using a minimally invasive ultrasound guided percutaneous biopsy technique using a local anesthetic. The samples will be immediately frozen. After cutting these will be used for immunofluorescent staining for myosin heavy chain I, IIA, and IIX. These staining's will be analyzed to measure muscle fiber size and number. These data will be used to evaluate within and between group differences in atrophy or shift in muscle fiber typing.

MRI images will be used to evaluate paraspinal and iliopsoas muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and functional cross-sectional area (FCSA).

MRI images will be used to evaluate paraspinal and iliopsoas muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and functional cross-sectional area (FCSA).

Participant will were an activity tracker from -1 week -1 until week 8 to compare activity patterns between groups

The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."

The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."

The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."

The visual analog scale (VAS) is a validated, subjective measure for acute and chronic pain. Scores are recorded by making a handwritten mark on a 10-cm line that represents a continuum between "no pain" and "worst pain."

Participants are asked to indicate the degree to which they have specific thoughts and feelings when they are experiencing pain using the 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) scale.

Participants are asked to indicate the degree to which they have specific thoughts and feelings when they are experiencing pain using the 0 (not at all) to 4 (all the time) scale.

The PVAQ is a 16-item measure of attention to pain that assesses awareness, consciousness, vigilance, and observation of pain.

The PVAQ is a 16-item measure of attention to pain that assesses awareness, consciousness, vigilance, and observation of pain.

This is a questionnaire than has been proven valid and reliable to evaluate the restrictions that people with low back pain experience during their daily living. The final score/index ranges from 0-100. A score of 0-20 reflects minimal disability, 21-40 moderate disability, 41-60 severe disability, 61-80 crippled, and 81-100 bed-bound.

This is a questionnaire than has been proven valid and reliable to evaluate the restrictions that people with low back pain experience during their daily living. The final score/index ranges from 0-100. A score of 0-20 reflects minimal disability, 21-40 moderate disability, 41-60 severe disability, 61-80 crippled, and 81-100 bed-bound.

The EQ-5D is a standardized questionnaire in which five levels of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort, anxiety/ depression ) can be scored. The patients also has to indicate how he/she experiences their health state on a scale from 0 to 100.

The EQ-5D is a standardized questionnaire in which five levels of health (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/ discomfort, anxiety/ depression ) can be scored. The patients also has to indicate how he/she experiences their health state on a scale from 0 to 100.

The PASIPD is a reliable and valid questionnaire consisting of 13 items to measure the physical activity of people with disabilities. The average hours per day for each item is scored, and is multiplied by a metabolic equivalent (MET) value associated with the intensity of the activity and summing over items 2 through 13. Scores range from 0 (no activity) to >100 METS hour/day (very high).

The PASIPD is a reliable and valid questionnaire consisting of 13 items to measure the physical activity of people with disabilities. The average hours per day for each item is scored, and is multiplied by a metabolic equivalent (MET) value associated with the intensity of the activity and summing over items 2 through 13. Scores range from 0 (no activity) to >100 METS hour/day (very high).

: The TSK is an ordinal 17 item questionnaire that inventories pain-related fear of movement for persons with subacute and chronic low back pain or fibromyalgia. The higher the score the more fear of movement will be present, with a maximum score of 68. The cut of value to state a patient is experiencing fear of movement is 37/68.

: The TSK is an ordinal 17 item questionnaire that inventories pain-related fear of movement for persons with subacute and chronic low back pain or fibromyalgia. The higher the score the more fear of movement will be present, with a maximum score of 68. The cut of value to state a patient is experiencing fear of movement is 37/68.

The PS is a simple measure of functional status, originally developed by the ECOG to evaluate cancer treatment toxicity. It has scores from 0-5 that correlate with the Karnofsky scale. Although this instrument has been developed to evaluate cancer treatment, it has been used to evaluate the post-operative performance status in persons undergoing lumbar surgery

The PS is a simple measure of functional status, originally developed by the ECOG to evaluate cancer treatment toxicity. It has scores from 0-5 that correlate with the Karnofsky scale. Although this instrument has been developed to evaluate cancer treatment, it has been used to evaluate the post-operative performance status in persons undergoing lumbar surgery

The PS is a simple measure of functional status, originally developed by the ECOG to evaluate cancer treatment toxicity. It has scores from 0-5 that correlate with the Karnofsky scale. Although this instrument has been developed to evaluate cancer treatment, it has been used to evaluate the post-operative performance status in persons undergoing lumbar surgery

The PS is a simple measure of functional status, originally developed by the ECOG to evaluate cancer treatment toxicity. It has scores from 0-5 that correlate with the Karnofsky scale. Although this instrument has been developed to evaluate cancer treatment, it has been used to evaluate the post-operative performance status in persons undergoing lumbar surgery

Participant will be asked to register their food intake using a standardized form. This will be done on two week days, and one day during the weekend. This outcome will be used to asses a difference in protein intake, that might affect muscle atrophy after surgery (control parameter).

Inclusion Criteria: Clinical single level disc degeneration Age between 18 and 65 years old Understand Dutch (writing and speaking) Symptom duration ≤ 5 years Exclusion Criteria: Involvement of the L5-S1 or L2-L3 segment Psychiatric pathology/ problems (e.g. substance abuse) Pregnancy Being non-suitable for surgery BMI ≥35 Other diagnosed neurological or musculoskeletal diseases that might affect the spinal column Not being able to function independently (activities of daily living)