SURGICAL TREATMENT OF L5-SPONDYLOLISTHESIS VERTEBRAE IN CHILDREN. BENEFITS OF POSTERIOR APPROACH

Objective to develop current options of surgical treatment of L5-spondylolisthesis in children. Materials and methods: 48 patients were observed and underwent surgical treatment at age of 10-17 years. In 9 patients spondylolisthesis of L5 was grade 2, in 14 - grade 3, in 12 - grade 4. 9 patients had spondyloptosis of the body of L5-vertebra. The article presents different options of surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis in children depending on the degree of vertebrae body shift and the main clinical manifestations. During surgery the anatomy of the vertebral canal and the normal interposition in the pathological segment were reconstructed. It resulted in normalization of the body balance and regression of neurological symptoms. Results: in spondylolisthesis grade 2 and 3 full reduction was achieved. In patients with grade 4 spondylolisthesis deformity was reduced to grade 2-3. Pain and radicular syndromes regressed in 2-3 days after surgery. In patients with monoparesis and contractures regression of neurological deficit took 1-1,5 months. Conclusions: The method of surgical treatment in patients with spondylolisthesis of L5 vertebrae depends on the degree of vertebrae shifting presence of segmental instability and neurological sighns.