Objective  To explore the short-term clinical outcome of percutaneous posterior lumbar interbody fusion using B-twin stand-alone expandable spinal spacer in the degenerative lumbar diseases. Methods  From January 2006 to March 2009

41 consecutive patients with lumbar degenerative disc diseases were enrolled and 44 intervertebral spaces were obser

ved in this study. There were 20 males and 21 females

with an average age of 57.51 (ranging from 31 to 77 years old). Indications for treatment included degenerative lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with intervertebral instability or Ⅰ° spondylolisthesis (25 cases)

LDH with intervertebral space collapse (15 cases) and lumbar discogenic pain (1 case). Fusion segments included  3 cases of L

3

L

4

and L

5

3 cases of L

3

and L

4

27 cases of L

4

and L

5

and 8 cases of L

5

and S

1

. After percutaneous discectomy and endplate

curettage were meticulously carried out. A B-twin expandable spinal spacer was introduced into the intervertebral space and then expanded and an allograft cancellous bone of 4 to 5 g was implanted around the B-twin in the intervertebral space. The whole operation was monitored by C-arm fluoroscopy. The clinical outcome was evaluated by JOA scale and X-rays and CT examination before the operation

and 1 week

3 and 12 months after the operation. Results  After follow-up of 3 to 38 months (mean 16 months)

all the patients were evaluated

and excellent was obtained in 13 cases

good in 21 cases

fair in 5 cases

and poor in 2 cases. The excellent and good rate was 82.93% according to the JOA scale. X-rays and CT showed that the subsidence of the B-twin was found in 3 cases

and  1 case was significantly subsided by more than 20%. Cage shift was seen in 1 case. Conclusion  Percutaneou posterior lumbar interbody fusion with B-twin is efficient with minimal surgical trauma

blood loss

better rehabilitation and reliable short-term outcome. Strict indications and pinpoint skills for surgery are the precondition to obtain satisfactory outcome in the treatment of degenerative disc disease.