Radu Caprariu1, Iulian Popa2, Manuel Oprea3, Marius Niculescu4, Dan Poenaru3, Florin Birsasteanu1. 1. Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", Timișoara, Romania. 2. Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", 2 Eftime Murgu sqr., Timisoara, Romania. medexpe@gmail.com. 3. Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Victor Babes", 2 Eftime Murgu sqr., Timisoara, Romania. 4. Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology I, Colentina Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Long time recognized as a cause of lumbar stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis has an evolution in interrelation with sagittal balance. This study aimed to assess the role of ALIF in correcting the sagittal balance in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients aged between 47 and 70 years were operated between July 2011 and September 2014 for degenerative spondylolisthesis by ALIF. The pre-operative and post-operative valid standing full spine radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and radiological evaluations were conducted pre-operatively and postoperatively at one year and five years. RESULTS: Lumbar lordosis (LL) was measured to 41.16 ± 14.25° pre-operatively and 47.27 ± 11.25° post-operatively (p > 0.05). At one year was 49.76 ± 13.31° and at five years 46.93 ± 9.26° (p > 0.05). Mean gain of lordosis after ALIF at index level was calculated to 8 ± 1.6° [4-12°]. CONCLUSIONS: ALIF offers a good reduction of the slipped vertebra providing good conditions for fusion and is an efficient surgical technique to recreate the sagittal spine balance.
PURPOSE: Long time recognized as a cause of lumbar stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis has an evolution in interrelation with sagittal balance. This study aimed to assess the role of ALIF in correcting the sagittal balance in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty patients aged between 47 and 70 years were operated between July 2011 and September 2014 for degenerative spondylolisthesis by ALIF. The pre-operative and post-operative valid standing full spine radiographs were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical and radiological evaluations were conducted pre-operatively and postoperatively at one year and five years. RESULTS:Lumbar lordosis (LL) was measured to 41.16 ± 14.25° pre-operatively and 47.27 ± 11.25° post-operatively (p > 0.05). At one year was 49.76 ± 13.31° and at five years 46.93 ± 9.26° (p > 0.05). Mean gain of lordosis after ALIF at index level was calculated to 8 ± 1.6° [4-12°]. CONCLUSIONS: ALIF offers a good reduction of the slipped vertebra providing good conditions for fusion and is an efficient surgical technique to recreate the sagittal spine balance.