Effects of Reduction in Surgical Treatment of Low Grade Spondylolisthesis

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of reduction on postoperative results in patients with low grade spondylolisthesis, the authors retrospectively analyze ninety three patients managed surgically. METHODS: Ninety three patients with low grade spondylolisthesis underwent surgery were classified into two groups. Reduction was obtained in one group and not obtained in the other group. The clinical severity was assessed with Prolo's grade and radiological severity was measured with simple lateral radiographs(static and dynamic views). The patients were followed for a mean of 18.6 months(range 9 to 21 months). RESULTS: All patients were treated with decompression, instrumentation, and bone graft. Reduction was done in fifty eight patients and not in thirty five cases. Overall postoperative clinical results(Prolo's grade) were not statistically different in both groups. CONCLUSION: In surgical management of spondylolisthesis, decompression and stabilization with instrumentation and bone graft provide good clinical outcome. In cases of low grade spondylolisthesis, reduction performed additionally has no advantage on clinical outcome.