STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective series. PURPOSE: Assess results of decompression-only surgery for low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis with consideration of instability. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There is no consensus on whether fusion or decompression-only surgery leads to better outcomes for patients with low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis. Current trends support fusion but many studies are flawed due to over-generalization without consideration of radiological instability and their variable presentations and natural history. METHODS: Patients with surgically treated degenerative spondylolisthesis from 1990-2013 were included. Clinical and radiological instability measures were included. Any residual or recurrence of symptoms, revision surgery performed and functional outcome scores including the numerical global rate of change scale, visual analogue scale, and modified Barthel index were measured. Follow-up periods for patients were divided into short-term (<5 years), mid-term (5-10 years) and long-term (>10 years). RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were recruited. Mechanical low back pain was noted in 48 patients and most (85.4%) had relief of back pain postoperatively. Radiological instability was noted in 4 subjects by flexion-extension radiographs and 12 subjects with prone traction radiographs by increased disc height and reduction of olisthesis and slip angle. From the results of the short-term, mid-term and long-term follow-up, reoperation only occurred within the first 5-year follow-up period. All functional scores improved from preoperative to postoperative 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Decompression-only for low-grade degenerative spondylolisthesis has good long-term results despite instability. Further higher-level studies should be performed on this patient group with radiological instability to suggest the superior surgical option.
Back Pain ; Consensus ; Decompression* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Natural History ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Traction

Management of pediatric spinal deformities requires an accurate prediction of growth spurts to allow for timely initiation of treatment and prevention of curve progression. Determining remaining growth potential is also important for avoiding prolonged unnecessary treatment, e.g. bracing for patients nearing skeletal maturity. Many clinical and radiological growth parameters have been developed to aid clinicians in growth prediction. Of these, several commonly used measures such as height and arm span growth trends, timing of menarche, and the Risser sign are mostly retrospective and lack strong predictive utility. Bone age assessments, such as digital skeletal age and the distal radius and ulna classification, are more accurate parameters, but further research is required to determine interethnic variations and develop their role in management decisions.
Arm ; Braces ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Menarche ; Radius ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine* ; Ulna

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative neurological complications among patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery and to determine the significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Methods: Six databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library have been searched to identify observational studies from inception until January 2025. Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥10 years with postoperative neurological complications after spinal deformity surgery. Stata/MP18.0 was used to conduct the meta-analysis in this review. The summary incidence estimates, proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and weights were pooled by the random-effects restricted maximum likelihood model. Results: The search strategy identified 53 articles with 40,958 patients for final review. Overall incidence of postoperative neurological complications was 7% (95% CI, 5.0%–9.0%; p < 0.001; I2 = 98.34%) in which incidence estimates for patients with adult spinal deformity and underwent 3-column spinal osteotomies were 12% (95% CI, 9%–16%; p < 0.001; I2 = 93.17%) and 18% (95% CI, 8%–31%; p < 0.001; I2 = 94.68%) respectively. Preoperative neurological deficit was the risk factor with highest overall odds ratio (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.85–4.41; p = 0.01; I2 = 76.20%), followed by the presence of kyphosis (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.75–1.70; p = 0.02; I2 = 81.80%) and age at surgery (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08; p = 0.04; I2 = 68.80%). Conclusion Preoperative neurological deficit, the presence of kyphosis and age at surgery were significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Therefore, comprehensive preoperative assessment and surgical planning are crucial to minimize the risk of developing postoperative neurological complications or the deterioration of pre-existing neurologic deficits.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative neurological complications among patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery and to determine the significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Methods: Six databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library have been searched to identify observational studies from inception until January 2025. Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥10 years with postoperative neurological complications after spinal deformity surgery. Stata/MP18.0 was used to conduct the meta-analysis in this review. The summary incidence estimates, proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and weights were pooled by the random-effects restricted maximum likelihood model. Results: The search strategy identified 53 articles with 40,958 patients for final review. Overall incidence of postoperative neurological complications was 7% (95% CI, 5.0%–9.0%; p < 0.001; I2 = 98.34%) in which incidence estimates for patients with adult spinal deformity and underwent 3-column spinal osteotomies were 12% (95% CI, 9%–16%; p < 0.001; I2 = 93.17%) and 18% (95% CI, 8%–31%; p < 0.001; I2 = 94.68%) respectively. Preoperative neurological deficit was the risk factor with highest overall odds ratio (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.85–4.41; p = 0.01; I2 = 76.20%), followed by the presence of kyphosis (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.75–1.70; p = 0.02; I2 = 81.80%) and age at surgery (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08; p = 0.04; I2 = 68.80%). Conclusion Preoperative neurological deficit, the presence of kyphosis and age at surgery were significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Therefore, comprehensive preoperative assessment and surgical planning are crucial to minimize the risk of developing postoperative neurological complications or the deterioration of pre-existing neurologic deficits.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative neurological complications among patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery and to determine the significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Methods: Six databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library have been searched to identify observational studies from inception until January 2025. Inclusion criteria were patients aged ≥10 years with postoperative neurological complications after spinal deformity surgery. Stata/MP18.0 was used to conduct the meta-analysis in this review. The summary incidence estimates, proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and weights were pooled by the random-effects restricted maximum likelihood model. Results: The search strategy identified 53 articles with 40,958 patients for final review. Overall incidence of postoperative neurological complications was 7% (95% CI, 5.0%–9.0%; p < 0.001; I2 = 98.34%) in which incidence estimates for patients with adult spinal deformity and underwent 3-column spinal osteotomies were 12% (95% CI, 9%–16%; p < 0.001; I2 = 93.17%) and 18% (95% CI, 8%–31%; p < 0.001; I2 = 94.68%) respectively. Preoperative neurological deficit was the risk factor with highest overall odds ratio (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.85–4.41; p = 0.01; I2 = 76.20%), followed by the presence of kyphosis (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.75–1.70; p = 0.02; I2 = 81.80%) and age at surgery (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01–1.08; p = 0.04; I2 = 68.80%). Conclusion Preoperative neurological deficit, the presence of kyphosis and age at surgery were significant risk factors for postoperative neurological complications. Therefore, comprehensive preoperative assessment and surgical planning are crucial to minimize the risk of developing postoperative neurological complications or the deterioration of pre-existing neurologic deficits.