Abstract
Fusion of the lumbar spine is performed frequently, but indications are not always clearly defined. A retrospective review was completed on 24 parients who had either alumbar laminectomy and non instrumented or instrumented posterolateral fusion (PLF). Our study included 12 men and 12 women with a mean age of 55 years. They were divided into two subgruops: Group 1: 11 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DO), and Group 2: 13 patients with degenerative stenosis (DS). The followup time was 0.7-5.5 years (3.9mean). A laminectomy and PLF in situ were performed in 16 patients (66.7%), laminectomy and PLF with transpedicular instrumented (PSF) was performed in 8 patients. At follow-up, solid fusion rate for PLF with PSF patients was 87.5%, and that for PLF in situ was 68.8%. There were no statistically significant difference in post-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association back scores and recovery rates. Successful fusion did not influence patient outcome. Non-fusion was an indication for on going observation and concern. In this retrospective study, the majority of patients in both groups respond well to our surgical interventions.
