Objective: To demonstrate the safety, surgical efficacy and advantages of the Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) technique using posterior elements as graft material when combined with pedicle screw fixation.

Design: Retrospective study assessing the Oswestry Score and Pain Intensity Score pre and post-operatively in patients undergoing disc excision and PLIF with the above technique.

Subjects: Eighteen patients (6 male), mean age 44 years (range 24 – 59) with a mean follow-up of 11 months (range 9 – 14). Four subjects had undergone previous lumbar surgery. All subjects had a history of back pain with or without sciatica.

Outcome measures: Pre and post-operative assessment of functional ability and pain using the Oswestry Score and Pain Intensity Score.

Results: Following surgery there was marked improvement in the Oswestry Score from a mean score of 36 (+/−12) to 19 (+/−9), P< 0.0001. Likewise there was an improvement in the Pain Intensity Score from a pre-operative mean score of 4 (+/−1) to a post-operative score of 1 (+/−1), P< 0.0001. Seventeen of the eighteen patients indicated that they would have the operation again.

Conclusion: Our technique is safe, effective and the results are comparable with published data. This technique provides the added benefit of utilisation of posterior elements of the spine as bone graft and hence avoids donor site problems and the risks associated with insertion of block grafts.