ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF POOR OUTCOMES FOLLOWING IN-SITU ARTHRODESISIN ADOLESCENT SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

In situ lumbosacral arthrodesis in the treatment of adolescent spondyl olisthesis was evaluated in 39 patients. The clinical outcome an avera ge of 4.7 years later was considered excellent or good in 82% of the c ases based on their pain and gait. The quality of the fusion mass corr elated with outcome. Those patients with the most severe kyphosis (sli p angle) had the greatest chance of a poor result. Four patients requi red reoperation for pseudarthrosis or symptomatic compression of the c auda equina. Three of these were successfully treated with repeat arth rodesis or decompression with sacroplasty or both.