Lumbar spondylolisthesis. Clinical syndrome and operative experience with Cloward's technique

The paper gives a survey, based on literature reports and our own experiences in 59 cases. According to Kilian (1853) spondylolisthesis is defined as ventral slipping of a vertebral body together with the pedicles. In pseudospondylolisthesis (Junghanns) the whole vertebra slips ventrally. Elongation of the isthmus of the pedicle or a cleft in the interarticular portion are prerequisites for spondylolisthesis. A dysplastic origin during childhood and adolescence is assumed. The relation of males to females is 2 : 1. Evolution of spondylolisthesis occurs during childhood and adolescence. The slipping process is finished in adults. Most often the condition is encountered in the lumbar, in particular in the lumbosacral, region. A third to one half of patients with spondylolysis (5-7%) demonstrate spondylolisthesis. Spondylolisthesis is usually an accidental finding, although the condition may lead to low back pain and sciatica. The earlier symptoms arise the gloomier usually is the prognosis. Very rarely a herniated disc in the cause of symptoms. Sciatica is mostly due to irritation of a nerve root by compression on the vertebral edge. Low back pain is caused by arthrogenic, pseudoarthrotic, and spondylotic degenerative disease. Diagnosis is established by AP, lateral, and oblique X-rays, and functional investigations. Myelogram and ossovenogram demonstrate compression of caudal sac and nerve roots. Conservative treatment consists of drugs and physical therapy, and cures one fifth of the patients. The best operative results are found after decompression and stabilisation (Cloward).