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Acquired spondylolysis after posterolateral spinal fusion
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|March 1, 1987
Summary
Spondylolysis, a stress fracture, can occur above lumbar spinal fusion. This case highlights stress concentration above posterolateral fusion, a risk previously seen only with interlaminar fusion.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Spinal Fusion
- Pediatric Orthopedics
Background:
- Posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion is a common surgical procedure for spinal deformities.
- Spondylolysis, a defect in the pars interarticularis, is a known complication after spinal fusion.
- Previous literature has primarily associated spondylolysis with posterior interlaminar fusion techniques.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old female patient developed spondylolysis immediately superior to a posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion.
- This represents a novel observation of this complication occurring with a different fusion technique.
Findings:
- The case demonstrates that stress concentration at the pars interarticularis can occur above posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion.
- This finding expands the understanding of potential complications associated with various spinal fusion methods.
Implications:
- Surgeons should consider the risk of adjacent segment spondylolysis when performing posterolateral lumbar spinal fusions, especially in pediatric patients.
- Further research may be warranted to investigate the biomechanics and prevalence of spondylolysis above posterolateral fusions.