Anterior lumbar interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar disease: Outcomes and complications
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a well-established option for selected patients with degenerative lumbar disease, but its complication profile remains a relevant concern in routine practice. This study aimed to evaluate complications and short-term pain improvement after ALIF in a consecutive institutional series. Methods: A retrospective consecutive case series of 39 adult patients who underwent ALIF between May 2021 and October 2025 was analyzed. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications and pain improvement assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative complications, operative time, blood loss, and length of stay. Results: < 0.0001). No vascular, dural, or nerve root injury occurred intraoperatively. Paresthesia was the most common complication (30.76%), followed by epidural hematoma (7.69%) and sympathetic changes (5.12%). No infection or reoperation was observed. Conclusion: ALIF provided significant short-term pain improvement with an overall favorable perioperative profile in this series.
Source: Surgical Neurology International
Institution: Universidade Federal de São Paulo
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7162127304