Lumbosacral column arthrodesis with bone graft and metallic fixation (A-Systems implant) was carried out in 40 patients with spondylolisthesis and lumbosacral instability of the following types: isthmic-lytic in 13, degenerative in 19, traumatic in 2, pathological in 1, and surgical in 5. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and late postoperative clinical and radiological evaluation was carried out. Clinical follow-up ranged from 10 to 46 months (mean follow-up: 11 months). Patient's and Physician's overall evaluation showed the following results: good results in 36 (39%) patients; improvement as compared to preoperative condition in 3 (7.5%); unchanged condition in 1 (2.5%); normalized labor capability in 29 (72.5%) patients; improvement of 75% in labor capability in 9 (22.5%) patients; and improvement of 50% in 2 (5%) patients. As for the Prolo rate, an increase to 9-10 (excellent) was seen in 21 (52.5%) patients; an increase to 7 and 8 (good) was seen in 14 (35%); an increase to 5 to 6 (moderate) was found in 5 (12.5%) patients. No patient had a Prolo rate of 2, 3, or 4 (poor). Mean time until return to normal activities ranged from 3 to 12 months (mean: 7 months). As compared to similar methods reported in literature, the implant has been shown to be equaally effective, with the following advantages: simplicity, use at different levels; rigidity following assembly.
Spine; Arthrodesis; Spinal fusion; Prostheses and implants
