1997 Volvo Award Winner in Clinical Studies
Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis with Spinal Stenosis: A Prospective, Randomized Study Comparing Decompressive Laminectomy and Arthrodesis with and without Spinal Instrumentation
Spine 1997;22:2807-2812
In patients undergoing single-level posterolateral fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis, the use of pedicle screws may lead to a higher fusion rate, but clinical outcome shows no improvement in pain in the back and lower limbs.
Fusion rate was markedly increased in the instrumented group; however, there was no statistically significant difference in clinical outcome between the two groups.
Results were an 87% fusion rate in the instrumented cases versus a 30% rate in noninstrumented cases.
In summary, the results of the current study demonstrate that transpedicular instrumentation improves the fusion rate, after posterolateral fusion for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Clinical outcome assessed in terms of relief of pain and increase in activity is unchanged whether or not instrumentation is used.