Introduction
Low-grade spondylolisthesis often presents with low back pain and radicular symptoms and often requires surgical intervention in the form of decompression and instrumented fusion.
Objective
The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using autologous laminar strut grafts in low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Patients and methods
A total of 15 patients in a prospective cohort study have been clinically evaluated between January 2014 and August 2017 after performing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using autologous laminar strut grafts.
Results
Mean operative (OR) time was 156 min, and mean estimated blood loss was 377 ml. Three patients required packed red blood cells transfusion. The mean length of stay at the hospitals was 4 days. One patient had an accidental durotomy and one patient developed low-grade fever. One patient developed superficial infection. None of the patients developed any neurologic deficits. All patients showed evidence of fusion and bony bridging between the vertebral bodies within 6 months after the surgeries.
Conclusion
The technique of using laminar strut grafts in the treatment of patients with low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis is safe and with low complications rate.