title: Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine: a report of three cases.
abstract: Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is uncommon and can result in canal narrowing and spinal cord injury. Early decompression promotes recovery of neurological function. We report 3 such cases: one in the lumbosacral joint and 2 in the lumbar spine. The former patient had an open fracture-dislocation and underwent (delayed) posterior decompression and instrumentation without interbody fusion. The connecting rods broke at 3 years and the patient had a residual neurological deficit. We recommend early decompression with posterior instrumentation and interbody fusion for maximum recovery of neurological function and stability of the spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National University Hospital, Singapore. chintat_lim@yahoo.com.sg
authors.forename: Chin Tat
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Hwan Tak
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Hee
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013168:Spondylolisthesis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed