Decompression without fusion in low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis and stenosis patients: long-term patient-reported outcome

Abstract

BackgroundOne-third of patients suffering from neurogenic claudication due to lumbar spinal stenosis have low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis. Decompression in these patients is considered a risk factor for instability, and it remains unclear whether instrumented fusion should be added. This study aims to assess the long-term clinical outcomes of decompressive surgery without instrumented fusion in symptomatic spinal stenosis patients regardless of low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, lumbar spinal stenosis patients with or without spondylolisthesis undergoing decompressive surgery were studied, 9 years postoperatively. Pain, functionality, and satisfaction questionnaires were sent to 250 spondylolisthesis and 200 randomly selected stenosis patients. Demographic characteristics, surgical technique, reoperation indication and incidence, and patient-reported outcome measures were assessed. ResultsAt long-term follow-up, the mean Oswestry Disability Index was 23.6 ±20.15 in the spondylolisthesis group and 23.4 ±20.9 (p=0.957) in the stenosis group. The EuroQol-5D was 0.74±0.28 and 0.75 ±0.24 (p=0.793) respectively. The Zurich Claudication Questionnaire score was 48.2% ±18.8 and 49.6% ±18.5 (p=0.646) respectively. After nine years of follow-up, comparable satisfaction rates are reported (69% of spondylolisthesis patients and 68% of stenosis patients (p=0.855). Reoperation rates were comparable in the spondylolisthesis and stenosis group (7 versus 6%). ConclusionThis cohort study demonstrated comparable satisfaction and clinical outcomes after decompressive surgery for symptomatic spinal stenosis in patients with and without grade 1 degenerative spondylolisthesis. Decompressive surgery can, therefore, be considered an effective treatment for symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis, even if it is accompanied by degenerative spondylolisthesis. Therefore, routinely adding instrumented spondylodesis is not deemed necessary.