Bilateral and unilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in the elderly / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Spinal canal decompression reduction fixation combined with bone graft fusion has been extensively applied in the clinic. Bilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion and unilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion are main methods to treat degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis. OBJECTIVE:To compare early clinical therapeutic effects of bilateral and unilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion in elderly patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. METHODS:A total of 60 elderly patients with spinal stenosis with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis were selected, including 37 males and 23 females, at the age of 60 to 78 years old. They were divided into two groups, and subjected to decompression of spinal canal. In the treatment group (n=30), patients received unilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion. In the control group (n=30), patients received bilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion. After treatment, they were folowed up for 1 year. The recovery of joint function was assessed using Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores in both groups. Simultaneously, complications were recorded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were 25.7±1.9 and 25.8±1.8 in the treatment and control groups, respectively, and no significant difference was found between groups. In the treatment group, three cases affected lower limb numbness and two cases suffered from dural tear, with the incidence of complication of 17%. In the control group, three cases affected lower limb numbness and three cases suffered from dural tear, with the incidence of complication of 20%; no significant difference was detected between the two groups. No adverse reaction related to bone graft was found in the two groups. These results confirm that bilateral or unilateral pedicle screw assisted interbody fusion in treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis obtained good therapeutic effects.