Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.10(2) > 1035565

Jeon, Moon, Kim, Park, and Lee: Comparison between Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Pedicle Screw Fixation andPosterolateral Fusion with Pedicle Screw Fixation in Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis in Adults

Abstract

Study design

This was a retrospective study that analyzed and compared the results between a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and a posterolateral fusion (PLIF+PLF), and PLF alone, in the treatment of spondyolytic spondylolisthesis in adults.

Objectives

To evaluate the outcomes of two surgical treatment methods for spondylolytic spondylolisthesis- posterolateral fusion alone, and circumferential fusion, using posterior lumbar interbody fusion and posterolateral fusion.

Summary of Literature Review

There have been many reports regarding the surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis. Posterior lumbar interbody fusions have certain distinct mechanical advantages over posterolateral ones. However, the clinical and radio-logical results do not usually correlate.

Materials and Methods

Between January 1998 and December 2001, 38 patients, with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, were operated on by a single surgeon. Nineteen patients underwent a posterolateral fusion alone (group I), with the same number undergoing an additional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (group II). These two groups were evaluated for their clinical outcomes, radiological measurements and fusion rates.

Results

The losses in the slip reduction were 7.1 and 1.3% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). The losses in the Meschan angle were 3.3 and 0.2 in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). The losses in the disc height restoration were 10.4 and 3.8% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P<0.05). A nonunion was observed in 3 of the PLF cases (15.8%) and 1 of the PLF+PLIF (5.3%). However, the satisfactory clinical results were 84.2 and 73.7% in the PLF and PLF+PLIF groups, respectively (P>0.05).

Conclusions

A lthough the addition of a posterior lumbar interbody fusion, to an instrumented posterolateral fusion, following decompression, is more predictable in maintaining a correction and achieving union, a posterolateral fusion may have a better clinical outcome in patients with low grade spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Therefore, careful patient selection is necessary for each operation.

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Table 1.
Patients data
  PLF group PLF + PLIF group Significance (P value)
Number of cases 19 19 1.000
Age(years) 32~63 (51.0) 19~62 (46.8) 0.278
Gender(M:F) 5 : 14 5 : 14 1.000
Isthmic defect      
        L3 2 1 0.822
        L4 9 9 0.822
        L5 8 9  
Meyerding Grade    I 14 14 1.000
        II 5 5 1.000
Follow-up 27.6 (12~44) months 18.3 (12~27) months 0.001
Smoking 3 (15.8 %) 2 (10.5 %) 0.697

PLF : posterolateral fusion

PLIF : posterior lumbar interbody fusion

Table 2.
Criteria for clinical results
Excellent Complete relief of pain in back and lower limb
  No limitation of physical activity
  Analgesics not used
  Able to squat on the floor
Good Relief of most of pain in back and lower limb
  Able to return to accustomed employment
  Physical activities slightly limited
  Analgesics used only infrequently
  Able to squat on the floor
Fair Partial relief of pain in back and lower limb
  Able to return to accustomed employment with limitation, or return to light work
  Physical activities definitely limited
  Mild analgesics medication used frequently
  Mild limitation to squat on the floor
Poor Little or no relief of pain in back and lower limb
  Physical activities greatly limited
  Unable to return to accustomed employment
  Analgesic medication used regularly
  Unable to squat on the floor without support
Table 3.
Clinical results (Kim et al, 1991)21
  PLF group (%) PLF + PLIF group (%)
Excellent 7(36.8) 4(21.1)
Good 9(47.4) 10(52.6)
Fair 2(10.5) 3(15.8)
Poor 1(5.3) 2(10.5)

P=0.790

Table 4.
Changes of slip(%)
  Preop Postop Last F/U Correction degree∗ Loss of correction †
PLF 20.4 10.8 17.9 9.6 7.1
PLF + PLIF 19.4 9.0 10.3 10.4 1.3

P = 0.677

P = 0.001

Table 5.
Changes of Meschan angle(º)
  Preop Postop Last F/U Correction degree∗ Loss of correction †
PLF 12.0 6.8 10.2 5.2 3.3
PLF + PLIF 11.3 3.8 4.1 7.4 0.2

P = 0.117

P = 0.014

Table 6.
Changes of disc height(%)
  Preop Postop Last F/U Correction degree∗ Loss of correction†
PLF 28.4 36.0 26.5 7.5 10.4
PLF + PLIF 27.8 38.1 34.3 10.3 3.8

P = 0.204

P = 0.002

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