Alp Karaaslan, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Necat Biber, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Burak Özdemir, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Kadir Altaş, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Ercan Kaya, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Ece Sağlam-Çifci, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Recep Başaran, Department of Neurosurgery, Sancaktepe İlhan Varank Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
Objective: This research aims to assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of both dynamic rod system (PLSDR) and rigid rod system (PLSRR) when treating lumbar degenerative disease (LDD). Method: A retrospective review of 98 patients who underwent posterior stabilization surgery with a posterior approach in our clinic between 2018 and 2023 was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups based on the type of implant used: Those with PLSRR (Group 1) and those with PLSDR (Group 2). Results: In a comparative study, Group 1 had a higher prevalence of discopathy (49% vs. 24.5%, p = 0.012). Differences in surgical operation levels existed, and notably, only Group 1 had five-level surgeries (8.2%, p = 0.033). Pfirrmann disk degeneration grades differed significantly (p < 0.001), with Group 2 mainly in Grade I (77.6% vs. 36.7% in Group 1). Stenosis (57.1% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.004) and facet hypertrophy (71.4% vs. 47%, p = 0.014) were higher in Group 1. Group 1 also showed a greater adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) incidence (81.6% vs. 51%, p = 0.001). Both groups had primarily proximal ASD degeneration (p = 0.202). Compression fractures were absent. Follow-up durations were similar (p = 0.183). Conclusions: In treating LDD, the PLSDR shows potential advantages over PLSRR, including preservation of degeneration in adjacent segments.
Keywords: Lumbar degenerative disease. Dynamic system. Rigid rod system.