In Reply: Benefit of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion vs Posterolateral Spinal Fusion in Lumbar Spine Disorders: A Propensity-Matched Analysis From the National Neurosurgical Quality and Outcomes Database Registry

摘要

Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological SurgeonsTo the Editor:The authors thank Dr. Bhangoo for his thought provoking, and in many ways, insightful commentary1 regarding our study on the benefit of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) vs posterolateral fusion for lumbar spine disorders.2 Dr. Bhangoo's comments reflect upon the utility of registry data in general, the National Neurosurgical Quality and Outcomes Database (N2QOD) registry in particular, and upon a statistical technique used to evaluate registry data. While many of Dr. Bhangoo's observations are important, we disagree with some of his particular criticisms and strongly disagree with his general conclusion....Dr. Bhangoo offers a very clear and well-written explanation of the propensity-matching technique that is often used in statistical analysis of registry data.1 Understanding the potential benefits as well as the limitations of this type of statistical analysis is critical for Neurosurgery readers, as propensity...