A Modified Jaslow-Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for the Treatment of Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

AIM: To describe a modified Jaslow-transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) technique for the treatment of single-level, isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). MATERIAL and METHODS: Between April 2011 and September 2012, 32 patients with IS undergoing a modified Jaslow-TLIF were retrospectively reviewed. The intervertebral space height (IH), vertebral slippage ratio, lordotic angles of the treated segments (SA) and lumbar lordotic angles (LA) were measured and the scores by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were recorded. RESULTS: An average follow-up duration of over 2 years was available. The average slippage percentage was 17.8 +/- 4.3% preoperatively, 5.3 +/- 2.4% postoperatively, and 5.4 +/- 2.5% at the last follow-up. The average IH was 7.7 +/- 1.9 mm preoperatively, 10.3 +/- 1.6 mm postoperatively, and 10.2 +/- 1.5 mm at the final follow-up. The average SA and LA were, respectively, 11.7 +/- 5.8 degrees and 49.1 +/- 13.9 degrees preoperatively, 13.5 +/- 5.7 degrees and 48.3 +/- 9.4 degrees postoperatively, and 13.2 +/- 5.3 degrees and 47.7 +/- 8.8 degrees at the last follow-up. The mean VAS was ameliorated from 7.7 +/- 0.6 to 2.4 +/- 0.5, ODI from 49.6 +/- 1.6% to 10.5 +/- 1.3%, and JOA from 10.8 +/- 1.3 to 26.6 +/- 1.0, at the last follow-up. All patients had clinical and radiographic evidence of solid fusion without any need for revision. CONCLUSION: The modified Jaslow-TLIF technique for the treatment of IS was advantageous for greater safety and efficacy.