P16. A retrospective review of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion patients treated with expandable and static spacers

BACKGROUND CONTEXT Interbody spacers for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offer favorable clinical results. Expandable devices allow in situ expansion to optimize fit and mitigate iatrogenic endplate damage occurring during trialing/impaction seen in static devices. PURPOSE To compare patient outcomes of treatment with a static or an expandable TLIF interbody spacer STUDY DESIGN/SETTING Retrospective chart review PATIENT SAMPLE A total of 99 patients undergoing TLIF using one of two interbody spacers, 48 patients received a static peek interbody spacer and 51 received an expandable titanium interbody spacer. OUTCOME MEASURES Blood loss, length of postoperative hospital stay, operative time, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), complication rates. METHODS A retrospective chart review from a single site was performed and surgical data, ODI, and VAS scores were collected. Radiographs were collected/measured when available. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-tests. Complications were compared using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS Patients treated with expandable spacers had significantly (p 24 months, compared to 12 of 48 (25%) static patients. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated with expandable interbody fusion spacers used in a transforaminal approach demonstrated significantly less blood loss, shorter stays, lower ODI scores, and significantly fewer complications at final follow-up than static spacer patients. FDA DEVICE/DRUG STATUS This abstract does not discuss or include any applicable devices or drugs.