Our Summary

This research paper analyzes the 25 most-cited articles on a surgical procedure called “lateral lumbar interbody fusion” which is becoming a popular alternative to traditional spine surgeries. The authors used the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database to find all the papers related to this topic, and then sorted them based on how often each paper was cited in other works.

All 25 of the most-cited articles were case studies which reported on a total of 2981 patients. These articles were cited 2232 times in other works, with individual articles being cited anywhere from 29 to 433 times. The oldest article was published in 2006, and the most recent one in 2015.

The most-cited article, written by Ozgar and colleagues, was referenced 433 times. The journal “Spine” had published 7 out of these top 25 articles.

The authors believe that the data from these articles can help in designing and interpreting future research on this surgical procedure.

FAQs

  1. What is the surgical procedure “lateral lumbar interbody fusion” researched in this paper?
  2. What is the range of times that individual articles on lateral lumbar interbody fusion were cited in other works?
  3. How were the 25 most-cited articles on lateral lumbar interbody fusion identified for this research paper?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about spinal fusion is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including proper wound care, physical therapy, and avoiding activities that could put strain on the spine. It’s important to attend all follow-up appointments and communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare provider. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet can help support the healing process and overall spinal health.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for spinal fusion surgery include those with degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, herniated discs, fractures, or other spinal abnormalities that are causing chronic pain, instability, or neurological symptoms. These patients may have tried conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medication, and injections without success, and may be experiencing significant limitations in daily activities due to their spinal condition. Spinal fusion surgery is often recommended when other treatments have failed to provide adequate relief, and when the benefits of surgery are believed to outweigh the risks.

Timeline

Before spinal fusion:

  • Patient experiences chronic back or neck pain that does not improve with conservative treatments such as physical therapy or medication
  • Patient undergoes imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to determine the cause of their pain
  • Patient consults with a spine surgeon to discuss surgical options, including spinal fusion
  • Patient undergoes preoperative testing and preparation for surgery

After spinal fusion:

  • Patient undergoes the spinal fusion surgery, where the surgeon fuses together two or more vertebrae in the spine to stabilize and reduce pain
  • Patient stays in the hospital for a few days for monitoring and recovery
  • Patient undergoes physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility
  • Patient follows up with their surgeon for postoperative appointments and monitoring of their recovery
  • Patient may experience a reduction in back or neck pain, improved function, and overall better quality of life in the long-term.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about spinal fusion include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with spinal fusion surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of spinal fusion surgery for my specific condition?
  3. What is the recovery process like after spinal fusion surgery?
  4. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
  5. Will I need physical therapy or rehabilitation after the surgery?
  6. What are the long-term effects of spinal fusion surgery?
  7. Are there any alternative treatments to spinal fusion that I should consider?
  8. How experienced are you in performing spinal fusion surgery?
  9. What is the expected outcome in terms of pain relief and improved function after the surgery?
  10. How soon can I return to normal activities after spinal fusion surgery?

Reference

Authors: Kolb B, Peterson C, Fadel H, Yilmaz E, Waife K, Tubbs RS, Rajah G, Walker B, Diaz V, Moisi M. Journal: Neurosurg Rev. 2021 Feb;44(1):309-315. doi: 10.1007/s10143-020-01243-0. Epub 2020 Jan 23. PMID: 31974822