title: Factors affecting fusion rate in adult spondylolisthesis.
abstract: The authors examined factors affecting fusion rate in the surgical treatment of 89 consecutive adult patients with spondylolisthesis. Two factors significantly improved fusion rate: combined anterior and posterior fusion and rigid postoperative immobilization in the cast. In 65 patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis, the fusion rate was raised from 70% when posterior fusion alone was used to 88% when combined anterior and posterior fusion was used. In 20 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis, frequent use of combined anterior and posterior fusion contributed to a high overall fusion rate of 95%. Among patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis, postoperative cast immobilization resulted in a higher fusion rate of 90% compared with a fusion rate of 63% obtained after brace immobilization.
authors: St. Croix Orthopaedic Research Foundation, Stillwater, Minnesota.
authors: S S
authors: SS
authors: Kim
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Denis
authors: J E
authors: JE
authors: Lonstein
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Winter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000151:congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors