Clinical and Radiological Outcome in Cases of Posterolateral Fusion with Instrumentation for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

INTRODUCTION

Lumbar Spondylolisthesis as a cause of low back pain and lower limb radiculopathy has been treated using varied surgical options. The role of laminectomy for decompression of neural elements and stabilization using instrumentation in the form of pedicle screws and rod construct has been a well-established and time tested treatment modality.

AIM AND

OBJECTIVES

This study analyses the role of laminectomy and instrumentation in obtaining clinical and radiologically favourable outcome.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Data was analysed from the case records for the duration from January 2010 to March 2014. The study analyses the influence of lumbar decompression (laminectomy) and transpedicular instrumentation using titanium pedicle screws and intertransverse process iliac crest graft on patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis.

CONCLUSION

Decompression primarily relieves radicular symptoms and neurogenic claudication whereas fusion primarily relieves back pain by elimination of instability. The addition of posterolateral instrumentation (pedicle screws) enhances the ability to obtain a solid arthrodesis. Posterolateral instrumentation enables improved functional outcome, better patient satisfaction and less back and lower limb symptomatology. This is irrespective of bony arthrodesis or pseudoarthrosis, at least in the short term follow-up.