Safety and efficacy of stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion in low-grade L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis.
BRAIN AND SPINE 2022;
2:100861. [PMID:
36248123 PMCID:
PMC9560688 DOI:
10.1016/j.bas.2022.100861]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction
Surgical management of isthmic spondylolisthesis is controversial and reports on anterior approaches in the literature are scarce.
Research question
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) in patients with symptomatic low-grade L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Material and methods
All adult patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral junction treated in a single institution between 2008 and 2019 with stand-alone ALIF were screened. A titan cage was inserted at L5-S1 with vertebral anchoring screws. Prospectively collected surgical, clinical and radiographic data were analyzed retrospectively.
Results
34 patients (19 men, 15 women, mean age 52.5 ± 11.5 years) with a mean follow-up of 3.2 (±2.5) years were analyzed. 91.2% (n = 31) of patients had a low-grade spondylolisthesis and 8.8% (n = 3) grade III according to Meyerding classification. Mean COMI and ODI scores improved significantly from 6.9 (±1.5) and 35.5 (±13.0) to 2.0 (±2.5) and 10.2 (±13.0), respectively after one year, and to 1.7 (±2.5) and 8.2 (±9.6), respectively, after two years. The COMI and ODI scores improved in 86.4% and 80%, respectively, after one year and 92.9% of patients after two years by at least the minimal clinically important difference. No intraoperative complications were recorded. 8.8% (n = 3) of patients needed a reoperation.
Discussion and conclusion
After stand-alone ALIF for symptomatic isthmic spondylolisthesis, the patients improved clinically important after one and two years. Stand-alone ALIF is a safe and effective surgical treatment option for low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Report of a series of patients with symptomatic low-grade L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis treated by stand-alone ALIF.
Patient reported outcomes showed clinically important improvements after one and two years.
Stand-alone ALIF proved to be a safe and effective technique to treat symptomatic low-grade L5-S1 isthmic spondylolisthesis.
There were no vascular or other major complications.
Collapse