ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: When conservative treatment of pure lumbar spondylolysis is ineffective, segmental fixation and bone grafting is a commonly used method. However, surgical methods are various, and have some controversies. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of U-shape titanium screw-rod fixation system with bone grafting for pure lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS: Data from 15 patients with pure lumbar spondylolysis or without mild spondylolisthesis, who were treated with U-shape titanium screw-rod fixation system and bone grafting in the Department of Orthopedics of Jinan Military General Hospital from May 2012 to May 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage were observed. The lumbar spine X-ray, CT, Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index were compared before operation, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The operation time was (115.0±18.8) minutes, the intraoperative blood loss was (280.0±84.3) mL, and the postoperative drainage was (61.0±19.6) mL. (2) By Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index during following-up, pain symptoms and function were significantly improved (P < 0.05). (3) No secondary spondylolisthesis, adjacent vertebral degeneration, internal fixation fracture, loosening, infection or nerve injury occurred during the follow-up. (4) All patients had bony union. The healing time range was 6-12 months, with an average of 8.2 months. (5) In summary, U-shape titanium screw-rod fixation system with bone grafting is a good choice for the treatment of pure lumbar spondylolysis.