Spondylolisthesis: Treatment by Excision of the Loose Lamina and Resection of the Pedicle

Abstract

Eighty patients were treated by radical arch resection, i.e., removal of the loose lamina and the fibrous tissue in and around the pseudarthrosis and resection of the caudal portion of the ventral part of the pedicle. In 17 patients an additional spinal fusion was performed. The mean observation time was 4.7 years. The forward dislocation increased by 25 per cent in the group without fusion compared with 16 per cent in the fused group. The symptoms of nerve root affection for the most part improved, but the back pain persisted in 28 patients. Fifty per cent of the patients were in full-time employment at the time of the follow-up. A total of 75 per cent were improved and 25 per cent unchanged or worse.