Short-term outcome of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lytic and degenerative spondylolisthesis.

PURPOSE To compare early outcome of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for lytic versus degenerative spondylolisthesis. METHODS 14 women and 8 men aged 20 to 60 (mean, 36) years underwent TLIF for lytic (n=15) or degenerative (n=7) spondylolisthesis. Of the 15 patients with lytic spondylolisthesis, 9 involved L4/ L5 and 6 L5/S1. Of the 7 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis, 3 involved L4/L5, 2 L5/S1, one L2/L3, and one L3/L4. The spondylolistheses were classified as grade II (n=15), grade III (n=4), and retrolisthesis (n=3). 11 patients with lytic and 2 with degenerative spondylolisthesis had sensory deficits (n=12), motor deficits (n=9), and diminished reflexes (n=7). Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) of each patient were assessed at months 3, 6, and 12, and 6 monthly thereafter. Fusion status was assessed by radiologists. Comprehensive outcome of each patient was graded as excellent, good, fair, or poor. RESULTS The mean VAS score for low back pain improved significantly from 7.4 preoperatively to 2.1 at year 1 (p<0.001), as did the mean VAS score for leg pain from 6.7 to 1.4 (p<0.001) and the mean ODI from 67.8% to 11.8% (p<0.001). No patient had any residual neurological deficit, and all achieved radiological fusion. The comprehensive outcome was excellent in 16 patients, good in 5, and fair in one. 16 patients returned to their previous level of activity. CONCLUSION TLIF is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of lytic and degenerative spondylolisthesis.