Lumbar Interbody Metal Cages with Pedicle Screw Fixation in Spondylolisthesis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: For lumbar spondylolisthesis, various spinal operation methods have been used to relieve clinical symptoms and to stabilize the spine. To determine the effectiveness of the lumbar interbody metal cages and pedicle screw fixation in patients with spondylolisthesis, the authors retrospectively reviewed 70 patients under-going surgery, and also analyzed the relationship between post-operative clinical improvement and bony fusion, postoperative reduction, as well as transitional vertebrae. METHODS: The authors performed the lumbar interbody metal cages and pedicle screw fixation in 70 consecutive patients suffering from spondylolisthesis between November 1994 and December 1997. Follow-up averaged 18 months(range, 3 to 39 months). The post-operative clinical outcome was expressed as good, fair, or poor. The bony fusion was determined by post-operative simple X-ray films. RESULTS: Of 70 patients with clinical, radiologically unstable spondylolisthesis, the clinical results were good and fair in 92% of the patients, and radiological bony fusion were occurred in 86%. There was the significant relationship between clinical improvement and bony fusion. But there was no significant relationship between clinical improvement and post-operative reduction as well as transitional vertebrae. The post-operative complications occurred in 4% of patients and reoperation was required in 1 patient. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the lumbar interbody cage with pedicle screw fixation is the effective operation method in the treatment of spondylolisthesis, though it demands more difficulties technically.