ANTERIOR INTERBODY FUSION WITH AND WITHOUT INTERSPINAL BLOCK IMPLEMENTATION FOR LUMBAR ISTHMIC SPONDYLOLISTHESIS

The clinical and radiographic results of lumbar isthmic spondylolisthe sis were compared between interspinous block-assisted anterior interbo dy fusion (block-assist group, n = 16) and anterior interbody fusion w ith no use of the block (nonassist group, n = 17) with an average foll ow-up of 7 years (range 11/3-13 years). Satisfactory relief of low-bac k pain, significantly early interbody union (union rate 88%, p < 0.05) , and spontaneous fusion of pars defect (fusion rate 44%, p < 0.05) we re obtained in the block-assist group. In the nonassist group, interbo dy union was markedly delayed (p < 0.05), the union rate was 53%, and spontaneous fusion of the pars was found in 12% of patients. The overa ll clinical results at final follow-up in both groups did not show a s tatistically significant difference, but the results tended to be supe rior in the block-assist group.