Surgical Outcomes of Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Treated with Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Background: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) involves fusing vertebrae in the lower spine with bone grafts or cages to stabilize it. This surgical solution effectively addresses lumbar spondylolisthexis, where one vertebra slips forward. PLIF not only reduces chronic lower back pain but also restores spinal stability and relieves nerve compression, offering patients an improved quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of lumbar spondylolisthesis treated with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF). Methods: This prospective observational study, conducted to assess the surgical outcomes of posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbar spondylolisthesis treatment. Twenty-seven (27), patients were studied using radiographic findings and VAS scores. Statistical analysis utilized MS Office and Student's T-tests to evaluate PLIF's effectiveness. Results: This study unveiled notable improvements post-surgery, including a decrease in the Meyerding grade from 3.52 to 1.59, a significant reduction in the slip angle, and substantial changes in sacral inclination measurements. Moreover, VAS scores exhibited a highly significant drop in pain levels, decreasing from 7.6 at baseline to 3.5 at the six-month follow-up. Additionally, surgical insights included a mean blood loss of 812.42 ml and an average hospital stay of 7.18 days, contributing valuable information on both surgical and recovery phases. Conclusion: Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) stands as an effective treatment choice for lumbar spondylolisthesis, providing patients with enhanced spinal stability, pain relief, and valuable insights into the surgical procedure and recovery Journey.