Clinical and Radiological Outcome in Cases of Posterolateral Fusion with Instrumentation for Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.
BACKGROUND
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis as a cause of low back pain and lower limb radiculopathy has been treated using varied surgical options. The role of laminectomy for decompression of neural elements and stabilization using instrumentation in the form of pedicle screws and rod construct has been a well-established and time tested treatment modality.


OBJECTIVE
This study analyses the role of laminectomy and instrumentation in obtaining clinical and radiologically favourable outcome.


METHODS
Data was analysed from the case records for the duration from January 2010 to March 2014. The study analyses the influence of lumbar decompression (laminectomy) and transpedicular instrumentation using titanium pedicle screws and intertransverse process iliac crest graft on patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Decompression primarily relieves radicular symptoms and neurogenic claudication whereas fusion primarily relieves back pain by elimination of instability. The addition of posterolateral instrumentation (pedicle screws) enhances the ability to obtain a solid arthrodesis. Posterolateral instrumentation enables improved functional outcome, better patient satisfaction and less back and lower limb symptomatology. This is irrespective of bony arthrodesis or pseudoarthrosis, at least in the short term follow-up.
Associate Professor, Department of Neurosurgery, Father Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady, Mangalore, India .
Madhukar T
MT
Nayak
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Father Muller Medical College Hospital , Kankanady, Mangalore, India .
Raghavendra Bakki
RB
Sannegowda
Lumbar laminectomy; Pedicle screw fixation; Posterolateral instrumentation; Spinal Instrumentation