Spinopelvic Realignment and Clinical Outcomes After Surgical Management of Adult Degenerative Lumbar Deformity: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study


Nazarli S., Bircan T., Guclu D. G., Sencer A.

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE, cilt.15, sa.13, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 15 Sayı: 13
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3390/jcm15135280
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background/Objectives: Adult degenerative lumbar deformity is a heterogeneous condition in which outcome depends on radiographic correction, patient-related risk factors, and surgical burden. This study evaluated spinopelvic realignment, clinical outcomes, complications, and predictors of unfavorable postoperative course after surgical treatment of adult degenerative lumbar deformity. Methods: This three-center retrospective cohort study included adult patients who underwent posterior decompression and instrumented fusion, with or without interbody fusion, for adult degenerative lumbar deformity between January 2021 and December 2024. Of 136 screened patients, 113 completed final follow-up and were included in the analysis. The mean follow-up duration was 31.0 +/- 12.9 months. Radiographic parameters were assessed preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at final follow-up. Patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed using available paired data. Unfavorable postoperative course was defined as persistent or worsened pain with functional limitation, symptomatic mechanical complication, deep infection requiring surgical treatment, or revision/reoperation. Results: Surgery produced significant immediate improvement in coronal and sagittal alignment. Cobb angle improved from 29.8 +/- 13.1 degrees to 13.7 +/- 6.7 degrees, lumbar lordosis increased from 28.8 +/- 15.5 degrees to 40.3 +/- 16.0 degrees, PI-LL mismatch decreased from 21.7 +/- 10.0 degrees to 10.1 +/- 11.5 degrees, and SVA decreased from 58.8 +/- 31.4 mm to 32.5 +/- 36.0 mm. Partial loss of correction was observed at final follow-up, although alignment generally remained improved compared with baseline. ODI improved from 57.8 +/- 12.6 to 34.7 +/- 8.7 in patients with available paired data. Any postoperative complication occurred in 42.5% (n = 48) of patients, revision/reoperation in 23.9% (n = 27), and unfavorable postoperative course in 35.4% (n = 40). In multivariable analysis, osteoporosis, greater fusion length, and residual immediate postoperative PI-LL mismatch were independently associated with unfavorable postoperative course. Conclusions: In this three-center retrospective cohort, surgery for adult degenerative lumbar deformity was associated with significant radiographic correction and meaningful clinical improvement in patients with available paired outcome data. However, the substantial complication and revision/reoperation burden highlights the morbidity of adult degenerative lumbar deformity surgery. Osteoporosis, fusion length, and residual immediate postoperative PI-LL mismatch may help identify patients at higher risk for unfavorable postoperative course.