Fusion for low-grade adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: a systematic review of the literature

The objective of this study was to evaluate which fusion technique provides the best clinical and radiological outcome for adult low-grade lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis, and to assess the overall clinical and radiological outcome of each fusion technique. A systematic review was performed. Medline, Embase, Current Contents, and Cochrane databases as well as reference lists of selected articles were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were used to evaluate the best treatment; controlled studies and non-controlled studies were used to determine the outcomes after surgery. Two independent reviewers evaluated the studies with the methodological checklists of van Tulder and Jadad for the randomised studies and of Cowley for the non-randomised studies. The search resulted in 684 references and eventually 29 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which eight were RCTs, four were prospective, and 17 were retrospective case series. Ten of the case series did not clearly identify consecutive patient selection. All the eight RCTs evaluated the effect of different techniques of posterolateral fusion (PLF). Evidence was found that the PLF was superior to non-operative treatment (exercise). Circumferential fusion was compared to PLF, but no difference could be found. PLF with or without instrumentation was evaluated in three studies, but no benefits from additional instrumentation were found. Other comparisons within PLF showed no effect of decompression, alternative instrumentation, or bone graft substitute. The 21 case series included 24 patient groups. PLF was used in 15 groups, good or excellent clinical outcome varied from 60 to 98% and fusion rate varied from 81 to 100%. Anterior interbody fusion was used in five groups, good or excellent clinical outcome varied from 85 to 94% and fusion rate varied from 47 to 90%. Posterior interbody fusion was used in two groups, good or excellent clinical outcome was 45% and fusion rate was 80 and 95%, respectively. Reduction, loss of reduction, and lordotic angles before and after the treatment was reported in only four studies. Average reduction achieved was 12.3%, average loss of reduction at follow-up was 5.9%. Preoperative lordotic angles were too heterogeneous to pool the results. Adjacent segment degeneration was not reported in any of the publications. A wide variety of complications were reported in 18 studies and included neurological complications, instrument failure, and infections. Fusion for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis has better outcomes than non-operative treatment. The current study could not identify the best surgical technique (PLF, PLIF, ALIF, instrumentation) to perform the fusion. However, instrumentation and/or decompression may play a beneficial role in the modern practice of reduction and fusion for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis, but there are no studies yet available to confirm this. The outcomes of fusion are generally good, but reports vary widely.     

A systematic review of clinical outcomes in surgical treatment of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis

Background Context

A variety of surgical methods are available for the treatment of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, but there is no consensus regarding their relative effects on clinical outcomes.

Surgery for adult spondylolisthesis: a systematic review of the evidence

Surgery for isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis (SL) in adults is carried out very frequently in everyday practice. However, it is still unclear whether the results of surgery are better than those of conservative treatment and whether decompression alone or instrumented fusion with decompression should be recommended. In addition, the role of reduction is unclear. Four clinically relevant key questions were addressed in this study: (1) Is surgery more successful than conservative treatment in relation to pain and function in adult patients with isthmic SL? (2) Is surgery more successful than conservative treatment in relation to pain and function in adult patients with degenerative SL? (3) Is instrumented fusion with decompression more successful in relation to pain and function than decompression alone in adult patients with degenerative SL and spinal canal stenosis? (4) Is instrumented fusion with reduction more successful in relation to pain and function than instrumented fusion without reduction in adult patients with isthmic or degenerative SL? A systematic PubMed search was carried out to identify randomized and nonrandomized controlled trials on these topics. Papers were analyzed systematically in a search for the best evidence. A total of 18 studies was identified and analyzed: two for question 1, eight for question 2, four for question 3, and four for question 4. Surgery appears to be better than conservative treatment in adults with isthmic SL (poor evidence) and also in adults with degenerative SL (good evidence). Instrumented fusion with decompression appears to be more successful than decompression alone in adults with degenerative SL and spinal stenosis (poor evidence). Reduction and instrumented fusion does not appear to be more successful than instrumented fusion without reduction in adults with isthmic or degenerative SL (moderate evidence).     

Contemporary management of isthmic spondylolisthesis: pediatric and adult

BackgroundIsthmic spondylolisthesis is common in pediatric and adult patients. Most cases are asymptomatic. When symptomatic, nonsurgical treatment is an appropriate first step. Surgical treatment of this condition varies depending on patient age, degree of slip, presence of neurologic findings, and degree of deformity.PurposeTo review the literature on the management of isthmic spondylolisthesis in pediatric and adult patients.Study DesignReview article.MethodsLiterature review.Results and ConclusionsAchieving a solid fusion leads to improved functional outcomes and reduction in pain. A circumferential fusion is associated with a higher fusion rate and has become more common, especially with high-grade slips. The need for reduction is controversial and is mostly indicated for patients with significant lumbosacral kyphosis and sagittal imbalance.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

Preoperative evaluation of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis with diskography

Fourteen consecutive patients with a diagnosis of isthmic spondylolisthesis (grade I and II) underwent provocative lumbar diskography (L2-S1) to evaluate the disk adjacent to the spondylolisthesis. Seven (50%) of 14 patients had concordant pain at the disk above the slip and 2 patients had no pain at the slip level. Surgical treatment included anteroposterior fusion of the slip level and any adjacent concordant levels. Clinical results included 3 excellent, 7 good, 2 fair, and 1 poor outcome. This data supports the hypothesis that the disk adjacent to an isthmic slip is predisposed to symptomatic degeneration in the adult patient with axial pain. It does not prove that a fusion is indicated or that clinical outcomes would be improved with this approach.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

Objective To investigate the clinical experiences and technical skills of adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Methods Twenty-one patients with adult isthmic spondylolisthesis underwent minimally invasive surgery. There were 12 men and 9 women, with the mean age of 51.7 years. Isthmic spondylolisthe-sis occurred at the L4.5 in 7 patients, and at the L5S1 in 14 patients. According to Meyerding classification, 13 cases were of Grade Ⅰ, 7 of Grade Ⅱ, 1 of Grade Ⅲ. Under general anesthesia, guiding by fluoroscopy, the surgeries performed minimally invasive microendoscopic(METRx) techniques for posterior decompression, interbody cage fusion and novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw techniques for deformity reduction and fixation. Results Seventeen cases were followed up 1 year postoperatively. The average low back pain VAS reduced from preoperative 6.0±2.6 to postoperative 2.9±2.5. The average leg pain VAS decreased from preoperative 6.7±3.3 to postoperative 2.8±1.6. The average ODI decreased from preoperative 44.3% to post-operative 27.1%. The Nakai good and excellent rate was 90%. The mean operative time 170 min, blood loss 160 ml, and postoperative stay in bed 7.5 d. The sagittal spondylolisthesis rate significantly decreased from preoperative 35.5%±2.5% to postoperative 8.3%±7.5%. The lordotic angle from preoperative 11.5°±1.7° in-creased to postoperative 16.8°±9.5°; the intervertebral disc height from preoperative (5.4±2.5) mm increased to postoperative (9.1±3.0) mm. According to Lenke judgement for fusion, complete fusion rate was 76%, in-complete fusion rate was 12%, nonfusion rate was 12%. Conclusion The minimally invasive microendo-scopic (METRx) assisted with a novel Sextant-R percutaneous pedicle screw systems for deformity reduction and fixation to treat adult isthmic spondylolisthesis, is not only a minimally invasive and safe surgical tech-nique, also an effective treatment for deformity reduction and fixation.     

成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创治疗

目的 探讨成人腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症的微创外科治疗方法与临床效果.方法 成人峡部裂型腰椎滑脱症患者21例,男12例,女9例;年龄29～73岁,平均51.7岁;L4.5滑脱7例,L5S1滑脱14例;双侧峡部裂19例,单侧2例.根据Meyerding分级:Ⅰ度滑脱13例,Ⅱ度滑脱7例,Ⅲ度滑脱1例.患者全麻,经后路双侧旁中央26 mm切口,在内镜辅助下行单侧或双侧椎管减压、椎间植骨cage融合、新型Sextant-R经皮椎弓根螺钉系统复位与内固定.结果 平均手术时间170 min,平均出血量160 ml,平均卧床时间7.5 d,平均住院时间19 d.20例患者获得随访,随访时间4～32个月,平均12.5个月.术后1年随访17例,患者VAS腰痛评分从术前平均(6.0±2.6)分降至(2.9±2.5)分;VAS腿痛评分从术前平均(6.7±3.3)分降至(2.8±1.6)分;Oswestry功能指数从术前平均44.3%降至27.1%;Nakai分级优良率90%.矢状面X线片腰椎滑脱率从术前35.5%±2.5%降至8.3%±7.5%,滑脱椎的腰前凸角从术前平均11.5°±1.7°增至16.8°±9.5°,椎间隙平均高度从术前(5.4±2.5)mm增至(9.1±3.0)mm.根据Lenke动态X线片评估标准:13例(76%)椎间骨性融合、2例(12%)椎间部分骨性融合、2例(12%)椎间无明显骨性融合.3例发生并发症.结论 内镜辅助下后路腰椎管减压、椎间植骨cage融合及经皮椎弓根螺钉系统复位与内固定治疗成人峡部裂型腰椎滑脱症手术创伤小,近期临床疗效好.     

Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis: a systematic review

Purpose  

Degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis has received insufficient attention, in contrast to degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. In fact, degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis may be more common than previously thought.     

Discitis and isthmic spondylolisthesis: a case report

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common causes of low back pain in children and adolescents. Disc space infection is less common, but is another cause of severe back pain in this population. The combination of both processes in the same segment is rare. This case report is of a 13-year-old patient with isthmic lumbosacral spondylolisthesis and disc space infection at the same level. A patient who presented with severe low back pain and a radiological picture of isthmic slip with end plate irregularities and anterior bridging osteophyte was diagnosed with disc space infection at the slip level. He was managed with intravenous antibiotics for 6 weeks, followed by oral medication for an additional 2 weeks. At follow-up 28 weeks later, a spontaneous radiological fusion at the slip level was noted with complete relief of his symptoms. The patient was able to resume sports activities. In conclusion, isthmic spondylolisthesis and disc space height infection might coexist. Nonoperative treatment will usually result in spontaneous fusion and the complete relief of symptoms.     

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: a comparison of fusion with one or two cages

Between March 2000 and February 2006, we carried out a prospective study of 100 patients with a low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis (Meyerding grade II or below), who were randomised to receive a single-level and instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion with either one or two cages. The minimum follow-up was for two years. At this stage 91 patients were available for review. A total of 47 patients received one cage (group 1) and 44 two cages (group 2). The clinical and radiological outcomes of the two groups were compared. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of post-operative pain, Oswestry Disability Score, clinical results, complication rate, percentage of post-operative slip, anterior fusion rate or posterior fusion rate. On the other hand, the mean operating time was 144 minutes (100 to 240) for patients in group 1 and 167 minutes (110 to 270) for those in group 2 (p = 0.0002). The mean blood loss up to the end of the first post-operative day was 756 ml (510 to 1440) in group 1 and 817 ml (620 to 1730) in group 2 (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest that an instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion performed with either one or two cages in addition to a bone graft around the cage has a low rate of complications and a high fusion rate. The clinical outcomes were good in most cases, regardless of whether one or two cages had been used.