Research progress in effect of obesity on the effectiveness of posterior lumbar fusion

Objective To review the effect of obesity on the effectiveness of posterior lumbar fusion in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (LDD). Methods The related literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed. And the difficulty of operation, risk of complications, and long-term effectiveness of posterior lumbar fusion for obese patients with LDD were summarized. Results Although some relevant literature suggest that the posterior lumbar fusion for obese patients is difficult and the risk of postoperative complications is high, the overall research results do not suggest that obesity is a risk factor for the implementation of posterior lumbar fusion. By assessing the physical condition of patients and strictly grasping the surgical indications, obese patients can obtain good surgical efficacy. Conclusion Posterior lumbar fusion is an effective method for the treatment of LDD in obese patients. However, relevant studies need to be completed to further evaluate the safety and efficacy of posterior lumbar fusion for obese patients.