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Purpose: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a widely accepted surgical procedure for degenerative disk disease. While numerous studies have analyzed complication rates and risk factors this study investigates the extent to which complications after TLIF spondylodesis alter the clinical outcome regarding pain and physical function. Methods: A prospective clinical two-center study was conducted, including 157 patients undergoing TLIF spondylodesis with 12-month follow-up (FU). Our study classified complications into three subgroups: none (I), minor (IIa), and major complications (IIb). Complications were considered "major" if revision surgery was required or new permanent physical impairment ensued. Clinical outcome was assessed using visual analog scales for back (VAS-B) and leg pain (VAS-L), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: Thirty-nine of 157 patients (24.8%) had at least one complication during follow-up. At FU, significant improvement was seen for group I (n = 118) in VAS-B (–50%), VAS-L (–54%), and ODI (–48%) and for group IIa (n = 27) in VAS-B (–40%), VAS-L (–64%), and ODI (–47%). In group IIb (n = 12), VAS-B (–22%, P = 0.089) and ODI (–33%, P = 0.056) improved not significantly, while VAS-L dropped significantly less (–32%, P = 0.013) compared to both other groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that major complications with need of revision surgery after TLIF spondylodesis lead to a significantly worse clinical outcome (VAS-B, VAS-L, and ODI) compared to no or minor complications. It is therefore vitally important to raise the surgeon´s awareness of consequences of major complications, and the topic should be given high priority in clinical work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Quality of Life Profile for Spine Deformities (QLPSD) is a self-reporting questionnaire designed for studying patients with spinal deformities.Purpose: The aim of the present study was to systematically translate the QLPSD into German (G-QLPSD) and to test its reliability and validity. Special emphasis was intended to be given to patients with different Cobb angles and ages.Methods: The QLPSD was systematically translated into German and was responded to in a web-based online survey by patients with idiopathic scoliosis and by healthy control individuals to carry out a matched-pair analysis. Participants aged 14 years and older were included. All participants answered a battery of validated questionnaires (SRS 22-r, PHQ-9, PANAS, FKS, WHO-5, BFI-S, PTQ). Reliability testing included Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability (retest 8 weeks after initial testing). Factorial, convergent, divergent, concurrent, and discriminant validity were calculated.Results: A total of 255 scoliosis patients (age 30.0 ± 16.7 years, Cobb angle 43.5° ± 20.9°) and 189 matched healthy control individuals were finally included. Cronbach's alpha for the G-QLPSD total score was 0.93 and the test-retest reliability was 0.84. The G-QLPSD total score correlated with the SRS 22-r total score (r = -0.86). All concurrently applied scores showed strong correlations with the G-QLPSD (e.g., depression score PHQ-9: r = 0.70). The matched-pair analysis of 189 pairs showed strong discriminant validity (Cohen's d = 0.78). Patients with more severe Cobb angles (≥40°) and those ≥18 years of age had significantly poorer results than patients with minor curves and younger patients.Conclusion: The G-QLPSD proved to be a highly reliable and valid instrument that can be recommended for clinical use in scoliosis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]