Christos Karampalis, Michael Grevitt, Masood Shafafy, John Webb


April 2012, Volume 21, Issue 2, pp 200 - 206 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-012-2190-6

First Online: 23 February 2012

Purpose

To report the results of a cohort of patients treated with this technique high lighting radiological and functional outcomes, discussing also benefits arising from a gradual reduction procedure compared with other techniques.

Methods

We evaluated nine patients who have undergone high-grade listhesis reduction and circumferential fusion at our institution from 1988 to 2006. Average length of follow-up was 11 years (5–19). Functional outcomes and radiological measurements were recorded and reported.

Results

Slip magnitude was reduced by an average of 2.9 grades (Meyerding classification). Slip angle improved by an average of 66% (p = 0.0001), lumbosacral angle by 47% (p = 0.0002), sacral rotation by 51% (p = 0.0068) and sacral inclination by 47% (p = 0.0055). At the latest follow-up 88.9% had achieved solid fusion. Post-operative 10-point Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for back pain had improved by 70% (p < 0.001) and that for leg pain by 76% (p < 0.001) compared with pre-operative score. Average postoperative Oswestry Disability Index for all patients was 8% (range 0–16%) and that for Low Back Outcome Scores was 56.6 (range 44–70). All components of Short Form 36 Health Survey were greater than 80%. Overall patients’ expectations were met in 100%.

Conclusions

This is an effective and safe technique which addresses the lumbosacral kyphosis and cosmetic deformity without the neurological complications which accompany other reduction and fusion techniques for high-grade spondylolisthesis.


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