The surgical management of complicated spinal stenosis: spondylolisthesis

The principles of surgery in spinal stenosis follow a clear understanding of the pathology in the various types ofstenosis. This article describes how the basic technique of one-level decompression in spinal stenosis is modified to deal with the pathology in degenerative spondylolisthesis. We have provided an explanation of the pathology in spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis, and how modifications of the basic decompressive technique are necessary to deal with these variations in pathology. The indications and technique for a concomitant lateral spinal fusion are described. Techniques of instrumentation are not covered in this article.