Surgical Outcomes Following Instrumented Fusion in Low-Grade Spondylolisthesis: A 26-Month Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Abstract:

Introduction: The spondylolisthesis means anterior or posterior translation of the cephalad vertebra relative to the adjacent caudal vertebra. These patients with grade I-IV spondylolisthesis are treated initially by conservative measures, failing which surgical intervention is mandatory. The spectrum of available surgical options includes pars repair in spondylosis, instrumented in situ fusion, instrumented reduction and fusion, or instrumented in situ fusion which may be a posterior, posterolateral, anterior, or circumferential fusion that could be achieved by a variety of techniques. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the functional outcomes in these patients.

Method: This retrospective observational study, over 26 months, involved 30 diagnosed cases of low-grade spondylolisthesis conducted at a tertiary care center. After surgery the clinical evaluation was done with physical examination and visual analogue scale the functional outcome was evaluated by the Modified Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at regular intervals.

Results: When the preoperative mean VAS score was compared statistically with the follow-up VAS score, a statistically significant difference was found except at 1 month as p<0.01. At 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months follow-up, the mean ODI score was 34.69 ± 5.17, 21.72 ± 5.8 and 12.51 ± 2.9 respectively. When the preoperative mean ODI score was compared statistically with the follow-up ODI score, a statistically significant difference was found except at 1 month as p<0.01.

Conclusion: This study concludes that there is an obvious improvement in ODI scores in an instrumented group of spondylolisthesis patients. Hence, the surgery is an excellent choice with good functional results in adults with grade I-IV spondylolisthesis.