Abstract:Objective To observe the early clinical results and complications of lumbar interbody fusion with expandable intervertebral cage. Methods Between June 2010 and June 2014, 69 patients were treated with the expansion of the fusion cage for lumbar interbody fusion (treatment group), 72 patients were treated with pedicle screw fixation for lumbar interbody fusion (control group), and the two groups were compared. The clinical curative effect was evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) lumbago scoring. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate low back pain. Lumbar lordosis was used for evaluation of lumbar curvature. Through postoperative lumbar X-ray, dynamic X-ray film and CT, intervertebral bone graft fusion was evaluated. According to the standard of Suk judgment, the cage stability was observed at hyperextension and flexion positions. All the data were statistically analyzed. Results All the cases were followed up for more than 18 months. There were significant differences in the operation time, incision length, bleeding volume, drainage volume and hospitalization time between the two groups (P < 0.05). Cerebrospinal fluid leakage appeared in 3 cases of the treatment group and 2 cases of the control group. There was no infection, nerve function injury, internal plant loosening or displacement, or other complications in either group. At the end of the follow-up, both groups obtained fusion of intervertebral bone graft. In the treatment group, JOA scores increased from preoperative (4.52 ± 1.78) points to postoperative (12.57 ± 2.96) points, the improvement rate was (76.81 ± 7.20)%; VAS score was reduced from preoperative (4.45 ± 1.58) points to postoperative (1.92 ± 0.62) points; the lumbar lordosis angle enlarged from (28.50 ± 16.30)° preoperatively to (30.20 ± 12.50)°. In the control group, JOA scores increased from preoperative (4.71 ± 1.26) points to postoperative (12.31 ± 2.85) points, the improvement rate was (73.86 ± 8.60)%; VAS score was reduced from preoperative (4.68 ± 1.51) points to postoperative (2.13 ± 1.93) points; the lumbar lordosis angle reduced from (27.50 ± 15.20)° preoperatively to (23.90 ± 13.20)°. There was no significant difference in JOA score, improvement rate or VAS score between both groups (P > 0.05). Lumbar lordosis angle of the two groups had significant difference (P < 0.05), the treatment group could maintain the anterior lumbar flexure better than the control group. Conclusions Lumbar fusion with expandable intervertebral cage can provide satisfied effect of intervertebral fusion. It has the advantages of little trauma and short hospital stay, and can maintain lumbar lordosis angle.