A LESS INVASIVE APPROACH IN ISTHMIC SPONDYLOLISTHESIS: SPINO-SEMILAMINA-FACET SPARING TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Objective: Our study aimed to describe the Spino-Semilamina-Facet Sparing Technique for the surgical treatment of patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis and to present our clinical results. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients who were treated with the above-mentioned technique between 2013 and 2015 were retrospectively evaluated. We included patients with grade 1 isthmic listhesis on neutral lumbar X-rays, who usually had a dominant unilateral radicular pain, but did not require discectomy via the approach side. The 12th month low back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, leg pain VAS scores and Oswestry Disability index (ODI) scores were analysed both preoperatively and postoperatively. Results: The average age of the patients was 46.3 years. Significant improvements were observed in the patients’ radicular VAS scores at the approached side 12 months after the surgery (p<0.0001). There were also statistically significant improvements in minor radicular complaints when decompression was performed from the contralateral side compared to when it was done on the approached side (p<0.0001). Significant improvements were observed when ODI and low back pain VAS scores were compared between the preoperative and postoperative periods (p<0.0001, p<0.0001, respectively). To date, no additional intervention was applied to any patient. Conclusion: The technique described in our study provides less invasive principles. The biggest advantages are that there is no need to perform a total laminectomy and the clinical outcomes are favourable.