Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.9(4) > 1036034

Lee, Sohn, Kim, and Lee: Outcome of Two Fusion Methods In Isthmic and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine

Abstract

Design

A retrospective study was performed in isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis patients who had undergone posterolateral fusion (PLF) only (group Ⅰ) or posterolateral fusion (PLF) with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) (group Ⅱ).

Objectives

The objective of this study was to help in the selection of a surgical treatment option for spondylolisthesis.

Summary of Literature Review

Irrespective of whether groupⅠ or groupⅡ, satisfactory results have been reported in the surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis. However, isthmic and degenerative types have not been investigated in terms of outcome.

Material and Methods

We analyzed 112 patients (Isthmic: groupⅠ(32), groupⅡ(22), Degenerative : groupⅠ(37), groupⅡ(21)) who underwent surgical treatment for spondylolisthesis between A pril 1995 and December 2000. Kirkaldy-Willis criteria, radiologic union state, reduction ratio of slippage, change of disc space and change of segmental angle were analyzed as indicators of outcome.

Results

We found the following by radiologic analysis: In isthmic spondylolisthesis, groupⅡ was better than groupⅠ in terms of reduction ratio of slippage (reduction loss:3.38% vs. 2.3%, P=0.15), change of segmental angle (reduction loss : 2.11 °vs. 1.6°, P=0.15), bone union (83% vs. 92%, P=0.45) and change of disc space (reduction loss : 2.83 mm vs. 1.9 mm, P=0.02). In the degenerative spondylolisthesis, groupⅡ did not show significant difference from groupⅠ in terms of reduced slippage (reduction loss:3.8% vs. 3.85%, P=0.47), change of segmental angle (reduction loss: 2.73。 vs. 2.64。, P=0.43), bone union (80% vs. 87%, P=0.72) or disc height (reduction loss: 3.2 mm vs. 3.14 mm, P=0.45).
In terms of clinical outcome, groupⅡ was better than groupsⅠ in cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis (fair≤:85% vs. 93%, P=0.72), however, groupsⅡ was not better than groupsⅠ in cases of degenerative spondylolisthesis (fair≤:83% vs. 85%, P=0.23).

Conclusions

In the degenerative spondylolisthesis patient, no significant difference was found between groupⅠ and groupⅡ, but in the isthmic spondylolisthesis patient, groupⅠ and groupⅡ were found to be significantly different in terms of the reduction ratio of the disc heights.

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Fig. 1.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis with PLF Fig. 1. A. Lateral radiograph of symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis in a 48-year-old female. Fig. 1.B. Postoperative radiograph demonstrated correction of deformity. Fig. 1. C. Last follow-up radiograph demonstrated loss of the correction.
jkss-9-313f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Isthmic Spondylolisthesis with PLF and PLIF Fig. 2. A. Lateral radiograph of symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis in a 53-year-old female. Fig. 2. B. Postoperative radiograph demonstrated full correction of deformity. Fig. 2. C. Last follow-up radiograph demonstrated well-consolidated interbody fusion without loss of the slippage.
jkss-9-313f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis with PLF Fig. 3. A. Lateral radiograph of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis L4 on L5 in a 52-year-old female. Fig. 3. B. Postoperative radiograph demonstrated correction of deformity. Fig. 3. C. Last follow-up radiograph demonstrated loss of disc height.
jkss-9-313f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis with PLF and PLIF Fig. 4. A. Lateral radiograph of symptomatic degenerative spondylolisthesis in a 66-year-old female. Fig. 4. B. Postoperative radiograph demonstrated correction of deformity. Fig. 4. C. Last follow-up radiograph demonstrated loss of the correction and disc height.
jkss-9-313f4.tif
Table 1.
Patient data
Isthmic type Degenerative type
PLF only (Group Ⅰ) PLF+PLIF (Group Ⅱ) PLF only (Group Ⅰ) PLF+PLIF (Group Ⅱ)
Follow-up(month) 17.5 16.2 21.5 20.3
Age 47.8 50.5 58.4 60.5
Sex (M:F) 8:24 5:17 10:27 4:17
No. of fusion segment 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0
Fusion level L3-4 0 0 5 2
L4-5 24 16 25 16
L5-S1 8 6 7 3
Table 2.
Kirkaldy-Willis 평가기준
    4 categories
Excellent The patient has returned to his normal work and other activities with little or no complaint.
Good The patient has returned to his normal work but may have some restriction in other activities and may on occasion after heavy work have recurrent back pain requiring a few days' rest.
Fair The patient has to reduce his working capacity, taking a lighter job or working part-time, and may occasionally have recurrence of pain requiring absence from work for one to two weeks, once or twice a year.
Poor The patient does not return to work.
Table 3.
Radiologic Measurements
  Operation   Preop Postop Last follow-up Reduction Reduction loss
Isthmic type PLF (Group Ⅰ) PLF+PLIF Anterior translation 8.8% 12.7% 16% 2.8% 3.3%
Segmental angle 12.6° 15.2° 13.1° 0.5° 2.1°
Disc height 9.0 11.2 8.4 -0.6 2.8
Anterior translation 19% 8% 10.3% 8.7% 2.3%
  PLF+PLIF (Group Ⅱ) Segmental angle 13° 16.6° 15° 1.6°
  Disc height 8.7 mm 11.7 mm 9.8 mm 1.1 mm 1.9 mm
  PLF (Group Ⅰ) Anterior translation 17.8% 7.7% 11.5% 6.3% 3.8%
  Segmental angle 12.6° 15.5° 12.8° 0.2° 2.7°
Degenerative type Disc height 8.4 mm 11 mm 7.8 mm -0.6 mm 3.2 mm
  PLF+PLIF (Group Ⅱ) Anterior translation 19.5% 9.5% 13.4% 6.1% 3.8%
  Segmental angle 12.8° 15.6° 13° 0.2° 2.6°
  Disc height 8.2 mm 12.1 mm 9.0 mm 0.8 mm 3.1 mm
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