Special aspects of surgical tactics in treatment of patients with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis

Purpose Carry out a comparative study of the effectiveness of surgical treatment of patients with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis treated with rigid transpedicular and dynamic interlaminar fixation. Material and methods Surgical treatment of patients with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis at L4 vertebra was reviewed. The inclusion criteria were as follows, L4 spondylolisthesis measuring up to 5 mm; translation of ≤ 3 mm; L4-L5 segmental kyphosis of ≤ 17 degrees, local scoliosis of ≤ 10 degrees, absence of severe osteoporosis (T-score of > - 2.5). Decompression and dynamic stabilization of the spine was produced in group I (n = 24) with Coflex and Interfix implants. Group II included 20 patients who underwent transpedicular fixation and posterolateral spondylodesis. Standard and functional spondylography, MRI were performed for all the cases. Modified Pfirrmann grading system was used to assess intervertebral disk degeneration. L4 vertebral slippage and lumbar lordosis, intervertebral disc height, L4-L5 angle, translation at lumbar flexion/extension were measured. Results Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score was insignificantly lower in the group of dynamic fixation. Pain intensity in the leg and the spine was comparable at follow-up. Adjacent segment syndrome was not common in group I and graded not more than Pfirrmann V. Both groups showed slight changes in lumbar lordosis. Advantages of dynamic interlaminar fixation included decrease in surgical trauma, blood loss and surgical time, and lower risk of complications avoiding overstress to adjacent level. Conclusion The use of interlaminar fixation for selective patients with grade I degenerative spondylolisthesis showed advantages over rigid transpedicular fixation. However, further research is needed for extended indications to the fixators to be used for this cohort of patients.