Excision of the loose neural arch in spondylolisthesis: revival or disrepute

The Gill, White and Manning procedure of excision of the loose neural arch for the treatment of spondylolisthesis has fell into disrepute. More sophisticated and "anatomical" techniques entailing reduction, fusion etc. constitute now the treatment of choice. A prospective study has been conducted on 20 patients with first and second degrees lumbosacral and L4-5 spondylolisthesis treated by excision of the neural arch and herein presented. It proved safe and effective especially in the older age group