Posterolateral fusion using laminectomy bone chips in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis

We retrospectively reviewed the outcome of posterolateral fusion (PLF) in 136 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS), who had undergone posterior decompression laminectomy with foraminotomy and PLF using laminectomy bone chips as bone graft, with reduction of the slipped vertebra with transpedicle screws, between 1993 and 2003. Diagnosis of LS was confirmed by plain lumbar radiography, with computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies performed to confirm an associated condition, such as ruptured disc and spinal stenosis. The outcome of spinal fusion was good with 129 (94.85%) patients attaining solid fusion, while failed fusion was noted in seven (5.15%) patients. None of our patients complained of excessive postoperative wound pain. Additionally, no complications, such as wound infection, were encountered. Proper decortication of the posterior paravertebral gutters with an osteotome and removal of all soft tissues from the laminectomy bone chips are significant factors contributing to the successful outcome of the laminectomy bone chips in PLF. The fusion rate obtained with this type of autogenous bone graft is comparable to that of the iliac bone crest autogenous graft; hence, it is a good substitute for the iliac crest bone autogenous graft in performing PLF in treating lumbar spondylolisthesis.