ArticleThe Journal of international medical research2021
Contralateral radiculopathy after unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: causes and prevention.
Article in The Journal of international medical research, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 11 citations in OpenAlex.
- Robot-assisted unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar spondylolisthesis: ipsilateral direct with contralateral indirect decompression.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2026Article
- Bilateral decompression during unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion significantly reduces contralateral radiculopathy: A retrospective analysis.The Journal of international medical research · 2025Article
- Biomechanical insights into anterolateral vertebral screw fixation in osteoporotic spines: a comparative study of fixation methods and positions using porcine vertebrae.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2025Article
- Application of Acupuncture in Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy: An In-Depth Analysis and Outlook on Pathophysiological Basis and Therapeutic Mechanisms.International journal of general medicine · 2025Review
- Biportal Endoscopic TLIF With an Expandable Cage: Technical Note and Preliminary Results in Terms of Segmental Lordosis Achievement and Disc Height Elevation.International journal of spine surgery · 2024Article
- Exploring Pathways for Pain Relief in Treatment and Management of Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis: A Review of the Literature.Brain sciences · 2024Review
- Effects of "fixation-fusion" sequence of lumbar surgery on surgical outcomes for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2023Article
- Analysis of risk factors for contralateral symptomatic foraminal stenosis after unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.International orthopaedics · 2023Article
- Effect of preoperative contralateral foramen stenosis on contralateral root symptoms after unilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a ambispective cohort study.BMC musculoskeletal disorders · 2023Article
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5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
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Abstract
backgroundUnilateral transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a single cage can provide circumferential fusion and biomechanical stability. However, the causes and prevention of contralateral radiculopathy following unilateral TLIF remain unclear.
methodsIn total, 190 patients who underwent unilateral TLIF from January 2017 to January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Radiological parameters including lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, anterior disc height, posterior disc height (PDH), foraminal height (FH), foraminal width, and foraminal area (FA) were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale scores were also recorded.
resultsThe incidence of contralateral radiculopathy after unilateral TLIF was 5.3% (10/190). The most common cause was contralateral foraminal stenosis. Unilateral TLIF could increase the lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, and anterior disc height but decrease the PDH, FA, and FH in patients with symptomatic contralateral radiculopathy. The intervertebral cage should be placed to cover the epiphyseal ring and cortical compact bone of the midline, and the disc height can be increased to enlarge the contralateral foramen.
conclusionThe most common cause of contralateral radiculopathy is contralateral foraminal stenosis. Careful preoperative planning is necessary to achieve satisfactory outcomes. Improper unilateral TLIF will decrease the PDH, FA, and FH, resulting in contralateral radiculopathy.
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