Clinical and radiological outcomes of posterolateral fusion alone versus interbody fusion in single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis: A retrospective comparative study
Retrospective comparative study evaluates fusion methods in single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis, highlighting implications for treatment choices.
Key Points
This study aims to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of posterolateral fusion versus interbody fusion in patients with single-level degenerative spondylolisthesis.
Retrospective analysis of 82 adult patients with single-level degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (Meyerding Grade I/II) confirmed by imaging.
Comparison of posterolateral fusion (53 patients) and interbody fusion (29 patients) outcomes assessed over 12 months follow-up.
Utilized visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for clinical outcomes; radiographic assessments for fusion and disc height.
Interbody fusion group showed significantly higher fusion success rate: 92% vs 68% (P = .008).
Greater disc height restoration was noted in the interbody fusion group with a mean difference of 2.6 mm (P < .001).
No significant differences in VAS and ODI improvements; however, interbody fusion had longer operative time (mean difference: 70 minutes, P < .001) and higher complication rate (24.1% vs 7.5%, P = .04).