To Study the Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion In the Management of Spondylolisthesis

Abstract

Background: Spondylolisthesis historically was treated conservatively, however operative stabilization and fixation has revolutionized its treatment outcome. Aim: it is to study the effectiveness of posterior lumbar inter-body fusion in the management of Meyerding grade 2 or more spondylolisthesis. Objectives : To evaluate the outcome of posterior lumbar inter-body fusion performed for spondylolisthesis both clinically and radiologically. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal observational study. Results: The study comprised of 44 patients with the mean age of 47.2 years, with 27 female and 17 male patients. It was a lumbar decompression procedure combined with a fusion procedure for 36 patients and isolated PLIF for 8 patients while 32 patients had single level instrumentation and 12 patients had two level instrumentation. Satisfactory outcome in terms of pain relief was obtained in 40 of the 44 patients. One patient had superficial skin infection, 3 had recurrence of symptomatology while 6 patients were lost to follow up (which were excluded from the study). None of the cases developed any iatrogenic neuro-deficit and there were no moralities.