Combined anterior-posterior versus posterior only approach for surgical management of adult spinal deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the clinical outcomes and complication rates for fusion procedures of adult spinal deformity (ASD) performed via an anterior-posterior approach as compared to a posterior-only approach to guide surgical decision-making. Numerous surgical techniques exist for operative management of ASD; however, no systematic review and meta-analysis exists comparing combined anterior-posterior approaches to posterior-only approach, despite significant interest in the current literature.

Four databases were used to collect articles from database inception until September 9th, 2023. Inclusion criteria was articles that examined both anterior-posterior or posterior only surgical approach, adult patients, comparative studies, and articles in English.

Seven comparative articles met the inclusion criteria. Included patients had a frequency weighted (FW) mean age of 60.2 ± 5.1 years and a FW mean follow-up of 40.4 ± 12.5 months. Qualitative data did not favor either group in terms of length of stay, radiographic outcomes, or functional outcomes. There was a total of 306 complications in the Anterior-Posterior group with a complication rate per patient of 1.0 ± 0.9 complications whereas there was a total of 380 complications in the Posterior Only group with a complication rate per patient of 1.0 ± 1.2 complications. Meta-analysis of specific complications found no significant difference in revision rate, dural tear rate, neurological complication rate, infection rate, or pseudoarthrosis rate.

Surgical management for ASD may provide comparable results in terms of surgical parameters, radiographic outcomes, functional outcomes, and complication rates, irrespective of surgical approach.