“A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POSTEROLATERAL WITH INTERBODY FUSION VERSUS POSTEROLATERAL FUSION ALONE FOR LUMBAR SPONDYLOLISTHESIS”

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Lumbar spondylolisthesis is a relatively common condition that is recognized as a potential cause of low back and 1 2 lower extremity pain. Wiltse and Newman originally classied spondylolisthesis into ve groups that are dysplastic, isthmic, traumatic, pathologic, and degenerative causes. Surgical fusion of lumbar spondylolisthesis is an important method to stabilize spine, and is used to reduce 3 pain and decrease disability in patients with chronic low back Pain . Procedures that have been widely used in the treatment of spondylolisthesis 4-5 include anterior lumbar interbody fusion, posterolateral fusion (PLF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and circumferential fusion . PLF is often combined simultaneously with PLIF through solo posterior approach, aiming to further increase fusion rate. Results: In the present study 34 cases with spondylolisthesis were taken and were randomly enrolled into two groups. 16 patients who underwent posterolateral fusion(PLF) were kept in Group I and rest of the 18 patients, those who underwent posterior lumbar with interbody fusion (PLIF+PLF), were kept in Group II. Two groups were compare on the basis of clinical outcomes as postoperative reduction in back pain and radicular pain assessed as improvement in visual analog score and postoperative functional improvement as improvement in oswestry disability index. Pain and functional status were improved signicantly in, PLF and PLIF+PLF Group and there was no difference in both group. Slip angle and slip percentage were signicantly improved in, PLF and PLIF+PLF Group and there was no difference in both group. However, Fusion rate was better in PLIF+PLF group compared to PLF group. Hardware malfunction were more in PLF group, while bleeding was more common in PLIF+PLF group.