Single segment of posterior lumbar interbody fusion for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: reduction or fusion in situ

Objective

We prospectively compared surgical reduction or fusion in situ with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for adult isthmic spondylolisthesis in terms of surgical invasiveness, clinical and radiographical outcomes, and complications.

Methods

From January 2006 to June 2008, 88 adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis who underwent surgical treatment in our unit were randomized to reduced group (group 1, n = 45) and in situ group (group 2, n = 43), and followed up for average 32.5 months (range 24–54 months). The clinical and radiographical outcomes were compared between the two groups.

Results

The average operative time and blood loss during surgery showed insignificant difference (p > 0.05) between two groups. The radiological outcomes were significantly better in group 1, but there was no significant difference between two groups of clinical outcomes, depicting as VAS, ODI, JOA and patients’ satisfaction surveys. Incident rate of surgical complications was similar in two groups, but in group 1 the complication seemed more severe because of two patients with neurological symptoms.

Conclusions

For the adult isthmic spondylolisthesis without degenerative disease in adjacent level, single segment of PLIF with pedicle screw fixation is an effective and safe surgical procedure regardless of whether additional reduction had been conducted or not. Better radiological outcome does not mean better clinical outcome.     

Operative treatment of symptomatic lumbar spondylolysis and mild isthmic spondylolisthesis in young patients: direct repair of the defect or segmental spinal fusion?

Summary The results of 23 patients with symptomatic spondylolysis or mild isthmic spondylolisthesis treated by Scott's direct repair of the defect (secclusion) were analyzed with particular reference to spinal mobility and the condition of the intervertebral discs, and compared with the outcome of 25 patients treated by posterolateral segmental fusion without instrumentation. The two groups were comparable as to age at operation (17.4±5.7 vs. 15.6±2.6 years), follow-up time (54±8 vs. 54±25 months), gender, and preoperative subjective symptoms. The mean preoperative vertebral slip was greater in the fusion group (7.2±8.4 vs. 13.1±4, P=0.003). The follow-up assessment was carried out by an independent observer. It included an interview, Oswestry questionnaire, pain scale drawing, physical examination, plain radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and functional testing (lumbar spine mobility, static lifting power). For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test, the x² test, and the paired t-test were used. At follow-up, 87% of the Scott's group and 96% of the fusion group had occasional pain, not interfering with daily activities, or no pain at all. There was no statistical difference in the subjective, clinical, or functional outcome between the two operation groups. Plain radiographs in both groups showed significant loss of disc height in the operated segment during follow-up, indicating post-operative progression of disc degeneration. In flexion/extension radiographs the total range of movement in the three lowermost lumbar segments was slightly greater after secclusion. This difference was not significant. In MRI there was no statistical difference in disc hydration index between the two groups. The condition of the disc above the fusion was not worse than that of the corresponding disc above the secclusion. There was no correlation between pathologic disc findings in MRI and clinical outcome. It is concluded that in a small group of young patients the early results both after direct repair of the defect and after segmental fusion are satisfactory in the majority of cases. At this point of follow-up it is impossible to say which of the two procedures should be preferred for operative treatment of this condition in young patients. Direct repair does not protect the disc of the lytic/olisthetic segment from further degeneration. Pathologic disc changes in MRI should be interpreted with caution because their clinical relevance is still unclear.     

椎弓根螺钉加椎间植骨融合器治疗腰椎滑脱症的远期疗效分析

目的:探讨椎弓根螺钉系统加椎间植骨融合器(cage)治疗峡部不连性腰椎滑脱症的远期疗效。方法:1996年10月～2002年1月收治的峡部不连性腰椎滑脱症患者中资料齐全的82例,均在椎弓根螺钉系统作滑脱复位后加cage行椎间融合固定。58例为1枚cage从后斜向前呈45°置入,24例为2枚cage从后向前垂直置入。随访时观察固定节段的椎体间有无位移、滑脱有否复发,测量术前、术后2周及随访时固定椎间隙的高度与近心端第二椎间隙高度比值的变化。结果:随访24～86个月,平均36个月。根据Nakai评分标准,优良率为79.3%。19例Ⅰ度腰椎滑脱患者术后全部解剖复位;47例Ⅱ度滑脱患者5例留有Ⅰ度滑脱;16例Ⅲ度滑脱患者4例留有Ⅰ度滑脱。至随访时,使用1枚cage或2枚cage所固定的椎间隙高度与近心端第二椎间隙高度的比值较术后2周时的比值减低,但统计学上无显著性差异,滑脱无复发。结论:使用椎弓根螺钉加cage治疗腰椎滑脱症可减少术后折钉和滑脱复发的问题,是治疗腰椎滑脱症比较理想的手术方式。1枚cage即可以达到稳定椎间的作用。     

Posterior reduction and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in symptomatic low-grade adult isthmic spondylolisthesis: short-term radiological and functional outcome

The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term radiological and functional outcome of surgical treatment for symptomatic, low-grade, adult isthmic spondylolisthesis. Twelve patients underwent a monosegmental fusion for symptomatic spondylolisthesis. Posterior reduction with pedicle screw instrumentation was followed by second-stage anterior interbody fusion with a cage. All patients underwent a decompressive laminectomy. At an average of 2.1 (range 1.4-3.0) years following surgery, all patients completed the Oswestry questionnaire, VAS back pain score and a questionnaire detailing their work status. Radiographs were evaluated for maintenance of reduction and fusion. The patients (nine male, three female; mean age 42, range 22-54 years) had experienced preoperative symptoms for an average of 38 (range 6-96) months. An average preoperative slip of 21% (range 11-36%) was reduced to 7% (range 0-17%). Reduction of slip was maintained at latest follow-up, at which time the average VAS score was 2.8 (range 0-8) and the average Oswestry score was 13 (range 0-32). All patients achieved a successful fusion. There were no postoperative nerve root deficits. All patients stated that they would be prepared to undergo the same procedure again if required. Seventy-five percent returned to their pre-symptom work status. Our findings suggest that posterior reduction and anterior fusion for low-grade adult isthmic spondylolisthesis may yield good functional short-term results. A high fusion rate and maintenance of reduction with a low complication rate may be expected. Further follow-up is necessary to evaluate long-term outcome.     

腰椎融合术后相邻节段退变的相关因素分析

【摘要】 目的：探讨腰椎融合术后影响相邻节段退变（adjacent segment degeneration,ASD）的因素。方法：回顾性分析北京大学第三医院骨科2009年1月~2011年1月因腰椎管狭窄症行腰椎后路融合手术患者109例,其中男39例,女70例,年龄24~79岁,平均54岁。门诊随访2~4年,平均3.4年。测量术前融合节段角度（fusion angle,FA）、融合节段头尾端相邻节段角度（proximal angle,PA;distal angle,DA）、腰椎前凸角（lumbar lordosis,LL）、骶骨倾斜角（sacral slope,SS）、骨盆入射角（pelvic incidence,PI）、融合与非融合相邻节段移位距离（slip distance,SD）等参数。以术后2年时站立位X线片相邻节段滑移≥3mm定义为ASD,将患者分为退变组（A组）和非退变组（B组）。同时记录两组患者性别、年龄、骨密度、融合节段数等。采用t检验及χ2检验比较两组间各指标的差异,应用Logistic回归分析ASD的影响因素。结果：A组18例（16.5%）,B组91例（83.5%）。发生ASD患者均为融合节段头端相邻节段退变。A组患者术前LL为29.8°±12.5°,B组为32.4°±11.2°;A组SS为31.5°±12.1°,B组为37.4°±13.4°;A组FA为18.3°±9.0°,B组为14.8°±10.5°; A组PA为6.8°±3.2°,B组为7.2°±5.2°;A组PI为42.3°±9.8°,B组为49.9°±9.8°;两组比较均有统计学差异（P＜0.05）。两组患者性别、年龄、骨密度、融合节段数及DA等均无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示PI与ASD发生率有显著相关性（P＜0.05）,SS、LL、FA、PA与ASD发生率无相关性（P＞0.05）。结论：在腰椎融合术后影响ASD的诸多因素中,过小的PI值可能是导致ASD的重要因素。     

脊柱融合术后相邻节段退变的病因及其影响因素

近年来,随着脊柱融合手术的急剧增加和内固定器械的广泛应用,邻近节段退变性疾病逐渐引起人们的关注,依据临床症状判定其发生率约为5.2%～18.5%,其最常见的病理变化是椎间盘退变。导致相邻节段退变的原因包括邻近节段关节突负荷增加、活动度增大和邻近间盘内压增高,而邻近节段退变的影响因素:脊柱内固定、融合节段、矢状面上的曲度、邻近节段椎间盘退变及患者自身的特点。关于邻近节段退变的治疗,若融合术后患者的症状与邻近节段退变的病理相符时,外科干预强调充分减压和扩大融合节段,但是结果并不确切。     

椎间盘退变在成人峡部裂性腰椎滑脱病理进展中的作用

[目的]探讨椎间盘退变在成人峡部裂性腰椎滑脱病理进展中的作用。[方法]随访156例峡部裂和峡部裂性腰椎滑脱患者，男86例，女70例。所有患者因腰部不适或下腰痛而拍摄X线片，发现峡部裂或滑脱。依据Meyerding滑脱分级，峡部裂而无滑脱患者68例，Ⅰ度滑脱患者88例。全部患者采用非手术治疗或不干预措施，观察病情的进展。依据Boxall等定义的滑脱进展指标，有40名患者，男24名，女16名，出现滑脱进展和椎间盘退变加重。[结果]随访时间3—9年，平均6．3年。椎体滑移增加程度为11％-30％（平均18．5％）。滑脱节段椎间盘高度降低45％-90％（平均72％）。采用x^2双向有序分类资料的关联性检验进行统计学处理，椎间盘退变程度加重与滑脱病理进展有显著关联性。[结论]峡部裂性腰椎滑脱在成年人中也有一定的进展，椎间盘的退变可能是滑脱病理进展的原因之一。     

腰骶部后外侧融合治疗崩裂性滑脱的远期疗效

目的 研究后外侧融合治疗腰椎滑脱的远期疗效及影响疗效因素.方法 对1992-1998年在本院行steffee钢板复位同定后外侧融合的35例患者进行研究,随访内容包括:(1)JOA评分对手术的远期疗效进行评定.(2)对术前、术后及随访过程中拍摄的腰骶部正侧位片进行测量,观察腰骶部融合情况,融合区及融合区上下方椎间隙高度,以及腰椎前凸角的改变.结果 35例患者获长期随访,随访时间4～10年,平均6.7年,手术疗效优良率为77.4%,31例病人术后达到骨性融合,融合率为91.4%,4例患者未融合,其中2例无症状,另2例患者出现假关节.腰椎前凸角由术前的41.72°减少到术后的39.23°,末次随访时为37.37°.融合区椎间隙变窄,融合区上方椎间隙变小.结论 (1)后外侧融合及腰椎前凸角的改变,可以加速邻近节段的退变.(2)后外侧融合不能有效地控制融合区椎体的运动,椎体有继续滑移的趋向,在行腰椎滑脱治疗时,应增加对脊柱前中柱的修复.     

延长固定节段结合短节段融合在中重度腰椎滑脱治疗中的应用

目的探讨延长固定节段结合短节段融合在中重度峡部裂型腰椎滑脱治疗中的手术技巧及疗效。方法对36例中重度峡部裂型腰椎滑脱患者行后路减压复位、椎间植骨融合,并包括滑脱椎近端相邻椎的延长节段钉棒系统固定术。通过影像学资料评估复位及植骨融合情况;采用JOA及VAS评分评价治疗效果。结果患者均获得随访,时间16~39个月。滑脱复位率91.8%~95.2%;椎间隙高度由术前4.7 mm±2.1 mm恢复至术后10.5 mm±2.4 mm;植骨融合率100%;JOA评分:术前7.9分±2.1分,术后3个月17.3分±3.9分,末次随访时24.5分±2.0分;VAS评分:术前7.5分±2.0分,术后3个月3.1分±1.4分,末次随访时1.8分±0.9分。参照JOA和VAS评分评价疗效,优20例,良13例,可2例,差1例,优良率91.7%。随访期间滑脱复位率及椎间隙高度无明显丢失。均无滑脱畸形加重,内固定松动,断钉断棒,感染及神经损害加重等现象。结论延长节段固定结合短节段融合治疗中重度峡部裂型腰椎滑脱症,可以达到理想的复位固定效果和可靠的骨性融合,临床疗效满意。     

Sublaminar wiring stabilization to prevent adjacent segment degeneration after lumbar spinal fusion

Introduction  Adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) is a complication of lumbar spinal fusion. There are some reports on the cause of this degeneration but none concerning its prevention. We performed sublaminar wiring stabilization to prevent ASD after posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion with instrumentation. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of this procedure. Patients and methods  Between 2003 and 2004, 54 consecutive patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis and multilevel instability of the lumbar spine underwent posterior decompression and posterolateral fusion with instrumentation. The mean age at the time of surgery was 66.7 ± 1.3 years, and the mean follow-up period was 40.0 ± 1.1 months, with a minimum of 29 months. Twenty-seven of the patients underwent conventional sublaminar wiring stabilization at the cephalad segment adjacent to the site of fusion to prevent ASD (group A), and the other 27 patients did not (group B). Some items were assessed, including clinical outcome using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, sagittal global lumbar alignment, and segmental motion in flexion–extension radiographs of the cephalad vertebral body adjacent to the site of fusion. Results  There were no significant differences in JOA scores between two groups, but 2 patients in group B underwent subsequent surgery due to ASD. Sagittal lumbar alignment did not change in group A but was significantly decreased in group B. With respect to segmental motion in flexion–extension radiographs, group A showed a significant decrease from 6.9° before surgery to 3.4° after surgery, on the other hand group B showed a significant increase from 5.6° before surgery to 8.4° after surgery. Conclusions  In this study, it was suggested that sublaminar wiring stabilization significantly reduces the range of motion of the adjacent segment and preserves sagittal lumbar alignment, which lead to prevention of ASD. The clinical outcome of the subsequent surgeries is relatively poor, so it is important to prevent ASD by any prevention such as sublaminar wiring stabilization.     

微创通道下简化治疗伴邻近节段退变腰椎滑脱症的疗效分析

目的:探讨微创通道辅助下治疗伴邻近节段退变腰椎滑脱症的治疗方法及临床疗效。方法:2014年4月至2016年1月,36例单节段腰椎滑脱症伴邻近节段退变患者接受微创通道下简化手术治疗(目标神经靶点减压、邻近节段椎间或椎板间小关节融合、单边内固定),其中退变性腰椎滑脱23例,峡部裂性腰椎滑脱13例,MeyerdingⅠ度16例,Ⅱ度17例,Ⅲ度3例。采用腰痛视觉模拟(VAS)评分、功能障碍指数(ODI)、JOA评分评估临床效果。结果:36例患者术中出血230~480 ml,平均340 ml;术后出血15~80 ml,平均43 ml;手术时间176~240 min,平均193 min;术中X线暴露时间2~6 s,平均3.6 s。2例术中硬膜囊撕裂,没有出现神经损伤表现。30例获得随访,时间12~17个月,平均15.2个月。术前、术后5 d及术后3个月随访时腰背痛VAS评分分别是7.6±1.7、1.9±0.4、0.8±0.4,术后5 d、术后3个月与术前比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术前及术后3个月ODI评分分别为35.9±1.2和3.7±0.7,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术前、术后5 d及术后1、3个月JOA评分分别为13.2±0.4、24.4±0.4、27.4±0.1、27.9±0.5,术前与术后5 d及术后1、3个月比较差异有统计学意义。结论:微创通道下治疗伴邻近退变的腰椎滑脱症是一种安全有效,创伤小,操作简化,康复快的微创治疗方法。     

成人腰椎峡部裂性滑脱症与退变性滑脱症患者脊柱骨盆矢状面形态学研究

【摘要】 目的：研究成人腰椎峡部裂性滑脱症与退变性滑脱症患者的脊柱骨盆矢状面形态。方法：选择2009年3月~2012年3月就诊且有完整影像学资料的腰椎峡部裂性滑脱症与退变性滑脱症患者共58例,其中峡部裂性滑脱（峡部裂组）29例,男9例,女20例,年龄23~67岁,Ⅰ度滑脱22例、Ⅱ度7例,L4滑脱16例、L5滑脱13例;退变性滑脱（退变组）29例,男5例,女24例,年龄45~85岁,Ⅰ度滑脱22例、Ⅱ度7例,L3滑脱3例、L4滑脱23例、L5滑脱3例。峡部裂组和退变组患者ODI评分分别为25.5分和22.0分,两组间无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。测量两组脊柱骨盆矢状面形态学指标,包括骨盆入射角（pelvic incidence,PI）、骨盆倾斜角（pelvic tilt,PT）、骶骨倾斜角（sacral slope,SS）、腰椎前凸角（lumber lordosis,LL）、胸椎后凸角（thoracic kyphosis,TK）、矢状面轴向垂直距离（sagittal vertical axis,SVA）。同时测量两组病例的腰椎滑脱角、滑脱率以及滑脱距离。采用独立样本t检验对两组患者的上述指标进行比较。结果：峡部裂组患者LL、TK和滑脱角分别为52.2°±10.9°、25.3°±11.1°、9.9°±6.4°,明显高于退变组的44.2°±15.4°、23.4°±12.6°、6.0°±3.9°（P＜0.05）;退变组患者SVA为30.6±40.6mm,明显高于峡部裂组的4.6±24.9mm（P＜0.01）。两组患者的骨盆形态学参数PI（峡部裂组53.9°±11.5°,退变组55.8°±10.8°）、PT（17.0°±8.3°,22.9°±7.2°）、SS（36.9°±8.7°,33.4°±9.9°）以及腰椎滑脱率[（21.8±9.8）%,（19.7±7.8）%]、滑脱距离（6.2±2.7mm,5.6±1.9mm）均无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论：成人腰椎峡部裂性滑脱症与退变性滑脱症患者具有相似的骨盆形态,但峡部裂性滑脱症患者较退变性滑脱症患者表现为更大的胸椎后凸、腰椎前凸以及滑脱角。     

Comparison of one-level minimally invasive and open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis grades 1 and 2

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques have only recently been developed. The goals of these procedures are to reduce approach-related soft tissue injury, postoperative pain and disability while allowing the surgery to be conducted in an effective manner. There have been no prospective clinical reports published on the comparison of one-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in low-grade spondylolisthesis performed with an independent blade retractor system or a traditional open approach. A prospective clinical study of 85 consecutive cases of degenerative and isthmic lower grade spondylolisthesis treated by minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MiTLIF) or open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (OTLIF) was done. A total of 85 patients suffering from degenerative spondylolisthesis (n = 46) and isthmic spondylolisthesis (n = 39) underwent one-level MiTLIF (n = 42) and OTLIF (n = 43) by two experienced surgeons at one hospital, from June 2006 to March 2008 (minimum 13-month follow-up). The following data were compared between the two groups: the clinical and radiographic results, operative time, blood loss, transfusion needs, X-ray exposure time, postoperative back pain, length of hospital stay, and complications. Clinical outcome was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index. The operative time, clinical and radiographic results were basically identical in both groups. Comparing with the OTLIF group, the MiTLIF group had significantly lesser blood loss, lesser need for transfusion, lesser postoperative back pain, and shorter length of hospital stay. The radiation time was significantly longer in MiTLIF group. One case of nonunion was observed from each group. Minimally invasive TLIF has similar surgical efficacy with the traditional open TLIF in treating one-level lower grade degenerative or isthmic spondylolisthesis. The minimally invasive technique offers several potential advantages including smaller incisions, less tissue trauma and quicker recovery. However, this technique needs longer X-ray exposure time.     

颈椎前路融合术后相邻节段退变的手术治疗

目的：探讨颈椎前路减压融合术后相邻节段退变的手术治疗方法与效果。方法：自2000年3月至2011年3月,采用手术治疗颈椎前路减压融合术后相邻节段退变患者27例,男16例,女11例;年龄48—72岁,平均55．3岁。术后通过JOA评分、影像学检查,评价手术疗效。结果：所有病例获得随访,时间1．8～712年,平均3．6年。病变节段减压充分、脊髓膨隆良好,内固定无松动,无颈椎节段不稳发生。术后神经根性痛消失,神经功能明显改善。术前、术后3d、末次随访JOA评分分别为9．15±3．46,13．96±2．79,13．52±2．91,手术前后比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。椎间高度和生理曲度与术前比较均有明显改善（P〈0．05）。结论：对于有脊髓神经症状体征的相邻节段退变应尽早手术治疗,以解除脊髓压迫,重建脊柱稳定,根据受压部位不同,采用合理的手术方法大多能获得满意的效果。     

重度腰椎滑脱术后骨盆一脊柱参数与临床症状的相关分析

目的研究重度峡部裂腰椎滑脱患者手术前后骨盆．脊柱参数的变化与临床症状改善的相关性。方法回顾性分析2000--2013年中南大学湘雅二医院收治的60例L,重度峡部裂滑脱患者的临床资料,根据术后Oswestry评分改善率的不同分为高改善率组（改善率〉50％）和低改善率组（改善率〈50％）,测量分析两组滑脱百分比、骨盆入射角（PI）、骨盆倾斜角（PT）、骶骨倾斜角（ss）、髋关节-S,水平距离（SFHD）、髋关节．s,垂直距离（SFVD）、腰椎前凸角（LL）、胸椎后凸角（TK）、C,铅垂线．骶骨后角距离（SC7D）、腰骶角（Dub—LSA）、腰骶关节角（LSJA）等数据。结果高改善率组PT、LL、SFHD、SC7D、LSJA、PT／SS、LL／TK、SFHD／SFVD均低于低改善率组（P〈O．05）,而SS、TK、SFVD、Dub．LSA均高于低改善率组（P〈O．05）。PT、LL、SFHD、SC7D、LSJA与Oswestry评分改善率呈显著负相关,负相关程度依次为SC7D〉LL〉PT〉SFHD〉LSJA（P〈0．05）;SS、TK、SFVD、Dub．LSA与Oswestry评分改善率呈显著正相关,正相关程度依次为：Dub—LSA〉SS〉SFVD〉TK（P〈0．05）：PT／SS、SFHD／SFVD、LL／TK与Oswestry评分改善率呈显著负相关,负相关程度依次为：PT／SS〉LL／TK〉SFHD／SFVD（P〈0．05）,这3个参数比值与术后Oswestry评分改善率的相关性均大于单个参数与术后评分改善率的相关性（P〈0．05）。结论重度腰椎滑脱患者术后临床症状与骨盆．脊柱参数关系密切,临床症状改善率与PT、LL、SFHD、SC7D、LSJA、PT／SS、SFHD／SFVD、LL／TK呈负相关,与SS、TK、SFVD、Dub．LSA呈正相关。提示对于此类患者,术前应充分评估可能影响术后症状改善的因素,优先考虑矫正影响较大的参数,并设计合理军术方寨．以樨高疗前。     

椎体间撑开复位在Ⅱ°峡部型腰椎滑脱症治疗中的作用

目的　观察椎体间撑开复位辅以短节段固定治疗Ⅱ°峡部型腰椎滑脱症的临床效果。方法　采用斜向单枚椎间融合器行椎体间撑开复位 ,再附加椎弓根螺钉系统短节段固定治疗 37例Ⅱ°峡部型腰椎滑脱症 ,随访 12～ 6 0个月 ,定期拍摄X线片观察其融合率。结果　所有病例均在术后 12～ 18个月获得骨性融合 ,其中 15例在 1年后即融合。滑移复位情况 :34例术后滑移程度小于 10 % ,3例小于 2 0 %。临床效果评价 :优 2 3例 ,良 14例 ,无改善 0例 ,差 0例。结论　峡部型腰椎滑脱症外科治疗的目的是在彻底的神经根、硬膜囊减压基础上的可靠融合 ,并通过辅以短节段内固定的椎体间撑开 ,恢复腰椎良好力线的前提下行有限复位。     

Minimal access bilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis

Purpose

Minimally invasive or “minimal access surgery” (MAS) is being utilized with increasing frequency to reduce approach-related morbidity in the lumbar spine. This paper describes our minimal access technique for posterior bilateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and spinal instrumentation in a patient with high-grade spondylolisthesis grade (Myerding Grade III) with 5-year follow-up.

Methods

A 24-year-old lady presented with mechanical back pain and left leg L5 radiculopathy. On examination, she was a thin lady with an obvious step deformity in the lower lumbar spine and otherwise, a normal neurological examination. Imaging showed a grade III isthmic L5–S1 spondylolisthesis with foraminal stenosis and focal kyphotic alignment of 20° [slip angle (SA) = 70°]. Conservative measures had failed, and a decision was made to proceed with a MAS-TLIF approach.

Results

The estimated blood loss was less than 100 ml, operating time 150 min, and post-operative hospital stay was 4 days. Post-operatively the patient had significant improvement of back and radicular pain. Improvement in ODI was substantial and sustained at 5 years. A solid fusion was achieved at 8 months. The slip percentage improved from 68 % (pre-op) to 28 % (post-op) and the focal alignment to 20° lordosis (SA = 110°).

Conclusions

A MAS approach for selected patients with a mobile high-grade spondylolisthesis is feasible, safe and clinically effective, with the added benefit of reduced soft-tissue disruption. Our result of this technique suggests that the ability to correct focal deformity, and achieve excellent radiographic and clinical outcome is similar to the open procedure.     

Direct repair for treatment of symptomatic spondylolysis and low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis in young patients: no benefit in comparison to segmental fusion after a mean follow-up of 14.8 years

The aim of the present study was to assess the long-term clinical, functional, and radiographic outcome of direct repair of spondylolysis using cerclage wire fixation according to Scott in young patients with symptomatic spondylolysis or low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis as compared to the outcome after uninstrumented posterolateral in situ fusion. Twenty-five out of 28 patients of the direct repair group (89%) and 23 out of 28 of the fusion group (82%) were available for follow-up examination. The assessment by independent observers included a structured interview (Oswestry questionnaire [ODI], visual analogue scale, SRS questionnaire), a clinical examination, functional testing, plain radiography, and MRI. The groups were comparable as to the mean age at operation (18.2 vs. 16.2 years.), the follow-up time (14.8 vs. 15.0 years), and the amount of preoperative slip (7.2 vs. 13.1%). The mean ODI and SRS total scores were significantly better in the fusion group (4.3 [0–16] and 96 [57–117]) as compared to the direct repair group (11.4[0–52] and 87[53–107]; P=0.02 and P=0.011, respectively). In functional testing, both groups reached normal values for abdominal and back muscle strength. The lumbar spine flexion and extension ROM was decreased in both groups showing no statistical difference between the groups. Significant progressive narrowing of the olisthetic disc was detected on the plain radiographs after direct repair. On the flexion-extension radiographs, in the direct repair group, the mobility in the lytic/olisthetic segment was decreased in comparison to normal values from the literature. The mobility at the level above the operated segment was decreased in the direct repair group as compared to the fusion group (P=0.057). On T2-weighted MR images in the direct repair group, the signal intensity of the disc below the affected vertebra was decreased in 17/23 (74%) patients. There was no difference between the groups in the nucleus signal intensity of the adjacent disc above the operated segment. No association between the disc degeneration on MRI and the outcome of the patients could be established. In the direct repair group the following complications were seen: transient nerve root irritation (2), superficial infection (1), UTI (1); in the fusion group the complications were: subcutaneous seroma (2) and UTI (1). There were six re-operations, cerclage removal(4), conversion into segmental fusion(2) in the direct repair group, and one re-operation, instrumented respondylodesis, in the fusion group. In conclusion, the results of direct repair of the spondylolysis using cerclage wire fixation according to Scott were very satisfactory in 76% of the patients after a mean follow-up of 14.8 years. After direct repair, the ODI deteriorated with time leading to a clinically moderate but statistically significant difference in favour of segmental fusion. Lumbar spine mobility was decreased after direct repair. Secondary segmental instability above the spinal fusion was not detected. The procedure does not seem to be capable of preventing the olisthetic disc from degeneration. The theoretical benefits of direct repair could not be proven.     

Thoracic herniation after lumbar spine fusion

We report on a 65-year-old male patient with rapid onset of incomplete paraparesis, based on a massive thoracic herniation following adjacent instability of the thoracolumbar spine after lumbar fusions with transpedicular instrumentation.     

A concise follow-up of a previous report: posterior reduction and anterior lumbar interbody fusion in symptomatic low-grade adult isthmic spondylolisthesis

We report the updated results for a previously evaluated surgical treatment for adult low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. In 12 patients a decompressive laminectomy was performed followed by a circumferential fusion using posterior pedicle screw instrumented reduction and staged anterior cage-assisted interbody fusion. Average time to follow-up was 5.6 (range 4.9–6.6) years. The average Oswestry Disability Index at last follow-up was 14 compared to 13 at 2.1-year follow-up. The average VAS score for back pain at last follow-up was 2.3 compared to 2.8 at 2.1-year follow-up. Ten patients had resumed their pre-symptom work status. This study demonstrates maintenance of the good clinical and radiological 2.1-year outcome after 5.6-year follow-up with no deterioration of back-pain scores.