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DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810036
Analysis of the Clinical Outcome of Microlumbar Decompression in Degenerative Grade-1 Spondylolisthesis versus Stable Lumbar Canal Stenosis
Análise dos desfechos clínicos da microdescompressão lombar na espondilolistese degenerativa de grau 1 e na estenose estável do canal lombarFinancial Support The author declares that he did not receive financial support from agencies in the public, private, or non-profit sectors to conduct the present study.

Abstract
Objective
To assess the clinical outcomes of a non-fusion decompression procedure in degenerative low-grade spondylolisthesis versus stable lumbar canal stenosis.
Methods
The study analyzed 50 cases of lumbar degenerative pathology that underwent decompression involving a single level. Dynamic X-ray assessment was employed to evaluate instability. Group 1 included stable lumbar stenosis, while group 2 included Meyerding grade-1 degenerative spondylolisthesis. Two years postmicrolumbar decompression, the final functional outcomes were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for backache and leg pain.
Results
Group 1 included 25 cases with a mean ODI of 75.36 ± 13.59, mean VAS for backache of 5.92 ± 3.45, and mean VAS for leg pain of 8.92 ± 1.81. Group 2 included 25 cases with a mean ODI of 68.75 ± 11.81, mean VAS backache of 8 ± 1.22, and mean VAS leg pain of 7.87 ± 1.57. At 2 years, group 1's mean ODI improved to 22.64 ± 17.2 (p < 0.0001), mean VAS backache reduced to 2.04 ± 1.86 (p = 0.0002), and VAS leg pain reduced to 1.56 ± 1.97 (p < 0.0001). Group 2 showed a mean ODI of 24 ± 10.6 (p < 0.0001), backache mean VAS of 2.12 ± 1.43 (p = 0.0009), and mean VAS leg pain of 2.56 ± 1.35 (p = 0.0008). Both groups showed statistically comparable functional improvement.
Conclusion
Microlumbar decompression yielded comparable functional outcomes in both groups. This procedure presents a viable option for preserving the integrity of lumbar motion segment in degenerative low grade (Meyerding grade 1) spondylolisthesis.
Resumo
Objetivo
Avaliar os desfechos clínicos de um procedimento de descompressão sem fusão em pacientes com espondilolistese degenerativa de baixo grau ou estenose estável do canal lombar.
Métodos
O estudo analisou 50 casos de doença degenerativa lombar submetidos à descompressão de um único nível. A avaliação radiográfica dinâmica foi utilizada para determinação de instabilidade. O grupo 1 incluiu pacientes com estenose lombar estável e o grupo 2 incluiu pacientes com espondilolistese degenerativa de grau 1 de Meyerding. Dois anos após a microdescompressão lombar, os desfechos funcionais foram analisados segundo o Índice de Incapacidade de Oswestry (ODI, do inglês Oswestry Disability Index) e a Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) de dor lombar e nos membros inferiores.
Resultados
O grupo 1 incluiu 25 casos com ODI médio de 75,36 ± 13,59 e EVA média de dor lombar de 5,92 ± 3,45 e de dor nos membros inferiores de 8,92 ± 1,81. O grupo 2 incluiu 25 casos com ODI médio de 68,75 ± 11,81 e EVA média de dor lombar de 8 ± 1,22 e de dor nos membros inferiores de 7,87 ± 1,57. Em 2 anos, o ODI médio do grupo 1 melhorou para 22,64 ± 17,2 (p < 0,0001) e a EVA média de dor lombar caiu para 2,04 ± 1,86 (p = 0,0002) e de dor nos membros inferiores diminuiu para 1,56 ± 1,97 (p < 0,0001). O grupo 2 apresentou ODI médio de 24 ± 10,6 (p < 0,0001) e EVA média de dor lombar de 2,12 ± 1,43 (p = 0,0009) e de dor nos membros inferiores de 2,56 ± 1,35 (p = 0,0008). Ambos os grupos apresentaram melhora funcional estatisticamente comparável.
Conclusão
A microdescompressão lombar produziu desfechos funcionais comparáveis em ambos os grupos. Este procedimento é uma opção viável para preservação da integridade do segmento de movimento lombar na espondilolistese degenerativa de baixo grau (grau 1 de Meyerding).
Keywords
intervertebral disc degeneration - low back pain - sciatica - spinal diseases - spondylolisthesisPalavras-chave
ciática - degeneração do disco intervertebral - doenças da coluna vertebral - dor lombar - espondilolisteseWork developed at the Department of Orthopedics, Guru Gobind Singh and Hospital, Medical College, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, India.
Publication History
Received: 06 March 2025
Accepted: 22 May 2025
Article published online:
18 August 2025
© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Rua Rego Freitas, 175, loja 1, República, São Paulo, SP, CEP 01220-010, Brazil
Ajaybir Singh. Analysis of the Clinical Outcome of Microlumbar Decompression in Degenerative Grade-1 Spondylolisthesis versus Stable Lumbar Canal Stenosis. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2025; 60: s00451810036.
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1810036
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