Retrospective and comparative evaluation of the effects of rigid pedicle screw-rod systems and dynamic polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rod systems performed for the surgical treatment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis on postoperative adjacent segment degenerati̇on processes

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is the most common cause of pain and functional loss in the hip and lower extremities, particularly in patients over 65 years of age. These pathologies significantly affect the life quality and impose a heavy economic burden on the countries. The clinical findings are the most important guide in determining the appropriate treatment options in LSS cases. However, it has been suggested in the literature that surgical treatment methods are more effective than non-surgical treatment methods. Adjacent segment disease is the most common cause of reoperation in patients operated on for the treatment of LSS. This study aims to compare posterior transpedicular fusion systems using for the surgical treatment of LSS in terms of morphometric changes. The cases in which rigid titanium rod and PEEK rod were applied were evaluated in terms of Pre- and postoperative morphometric data of rigid titanium rod and PEEK rod systems applied patients were evaluated and the group data were also compared with each other. It has been observed that PEEK rod systems provide more effective stabilization, especially in preserving the canal volume of adjacent segments, preventing loss of both anterior and posterior disc height in adjacent segments, preserving foramen heights in the upper adjacent segment, and preventing both right and left ligamentum flavum hypertrophy in the lower and upper adjacent segments. Therefore, PEEK rod systems may reduce the risk of adjacent segment disease in LSS cases. LSS is a very common disorder, especially in elderly people, with serious economic and psychosocial consequences. In conclusion, more clinical studies are needed to accurately determine the effects of the surgical method and stabilization system using for the treatment of this disease on adjacent segment disease which is the most common cause of reoperation in operated LSS cases.