OBJECTIVE: The surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis has proved to be better when compared with nonsurgical treatment. Current surgical techniques evolved to improve the vertebral fixation devices aiming to increasing the bone fusion rate. The transpedicular fixation associated with interbody fusion allows an increased bone surfaces contact, and in this way achieve a better fusion rate. But will the clinical and functional outcomes be better? METHODS: Retrospective study with 51 subjects submitted to PLA (n=19) and 360° (n=32) from 1996 to 2009. Only single level decompressions were included. Mean age 61,2 years old. Mean follow-up 5.8 years (de 2 a 14 anos). Clinical evaluation with Visual Analog Scale (VAS), global satisfaction and functional evaluation with Oswestry disability Index (ODI). Comparison of clinical and functional results based on BMI (BMI ≥30 vs BMI <30). Statistical analysis with SPSS 19®. RESULTS: In our study, the results clearly show a good outcome after surgery. There was a clinical and functional improvement with both techniques used (p<0,05). The satisfaction rate after surgery was also high. After several years of follow-up there were no statistically significant differences between the two fusion groups. Regarding BMI, non-obese patients has better clinical outcomes (p<0,05), although no differences were found in functional outcomes depending on weight. CONCLUSION: Decompression and instrumented vertebral fusion is a current and accepted treatment for degenerative spondylolisthesis. The fusion technique used does not affect the clinical or functional outcomes at long term follow-up.
Spondylolisthesis; Spinal fusion; Spinal fusion; Lumbar vertebrae; Obesity
