Abstract
1. At the present stage of our experience, when 150 patients have been analysed over a period of five years, the conclusion has been reached that anterior interbody fusion in the lower lumbar spine is a procedure which should be added to our surgical armamentarium for use in selected cases.
2. Patients suffering from chronic intervertebral disc degeneration whose main symptoms are recurrent incapacitating backache derive the most benefit from this procedure.
3. When used as a salvage operation in patients who have had previous unsuccessful laminectomy or posterior fusion, good results can be expected.
4. In patients with spondylolisthesis anterior interbody fusion should be confined to cases in which the vertebral bodies have not slipped forward more than one-third.
