Evidence map›Paper›PMID 36822646›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of spine surgery2023

Which Approach Leads to More Reoperations in Single-Level, Open, Posterior Lumbar Fusion: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion or Posterolateral Fusion Alone?

Alan R Tang, Hani Chanbour, Anthony M Steinle, Soren Jonzzon, Steven G Roth, Amir M Abtahi, Byron F Stephens, Scott L Zuckerman

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of spine surgery, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
0.5field-weighted citation impact, top 34% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Durability of One- and Two-Level Lumbar Fusion Surgeries: A Survivorship Analysis Based on Revision Surgery Rates.Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Alan R TangVanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.
Hani ChanbourDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Anthony M SteinleDepartment of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Soren JonzzonDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Steven G RothDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Amir M AbtahiDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Byron F StephensDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Scott L ZuckermanDepartment of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA scott.zuckerman@vumc.org.
Neurological Surgery · USVanderbilt University Medical Center · USVanderbilt University · US

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTransforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF) without an interbody device are two common approaches for single-level, open posterior fusion. Presently, it is unknown whether one of these operations leads to better outcomes. We sought to compare reoperation, complication, and readmission rates between TLIF and PLF for patients undergoing elective single-level, open, posterior lumbar fusion.

methodsA single-center, retrospective cohort study utilizing prospectively collected data was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients undergoing elective single-level, open, posterior lumbar decompression and fusion between October 2010 and April 2021 with at least 1-year follow-up. The two comparison groups were TLIF vs PLF alone without interbody. The primary outcome was need for reoperation at most recent follow-up. Secondary outcomes included 90-day complication and readmission rates. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

resultsA total of 850 patients were included, 591 (69.5%) of whom underwent TLIF and 259 (30.5%) of whom underwent PLF. Median follow-up was 6.1 years (interquartile range 3.7-8.9). No significant difference was found in overall reoperation rates (12.4% vs 13.9%, CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For patients undergoing elective single-level, open, posterior lumbar fusion without isthmic spondylolisthesis, no differences were seen in reoperation rates at long-term follow-up. Similar 90-day complication and readmission rates were seen. These results suggest that in degenerative lumbar spine disease without isthmic spondylolisthesis, TLIF and PLF achieved similar outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3:

Indexed as

complicationinterbody fusionposterolateral fusionreadmissionreoperation

Identifiers

PMID36822646
PMCPMC10165666
OpenAlexW4321600259

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.