SynthesisNeurosurgical review2025
Posterior lumbar fusion with and without interbody fusion in isthmic spondylolisthesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Neurosurgical review, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- The Role of Lumbar Sagittal Balance on Clinical Results after Posterior Interbody Fusion for Patients with Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: A Retrospective Study.Journal of orthopaedic case reports · 2026Article
- Post-traumatic Exacerbation of Grade II L5-S1 Spondylolisthesis Requiring Surgical Stabilization.Cureus · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundIsthmic spondylolisthesis is caused by a lesion in the pars articularis resulting in forward slippage of the vertebral segment relative to the caudal vertebral segment. Patients can develop neurogenic claudication or radiculopathy in case degeneration progresses. Nerve decompression is usually accompanied by spondylodesis: two frequently performed procedures are posterolateral fusion (PLF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF).
methodsStudies from four databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, COCHRANE Library and Emcare) were included that compared clinical outcomes of posterolateral fusion (PLF) versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion in patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis. For Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) pooled point estimate and the 95% confidence interval (CIs) was derived using the random-effects model.
resultsFourteen studies met the inclusion criteria of which four were randomized controlled trials (RCT), six were retrospective, and four were prospective cohort studies (two with historical control). The pooled results for ODI yielded no difference between PLF and PLIF with an estimated pooled mean difference of -0.29 (95% CI [-0.83, 0.26], P = 0.45). A significant difference in favour of PLIF was demonstrated regarding SF-36 (1/3 studies) and VAS back pain (1/7 studies). None of the studies reporting Roland Disability Scores, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) leg pain and (adjusted) Japanese Orthopedic Association score displayed a significant difference. Fusion rate was reported in favour of PLIF (2/6 studies).
conclusionsOur results suggest that both PLF and PLIF are adequate options for the treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis. However, included studies gave insufficient data on possible confounding factors like age, degeneration status, grade of slippage, disc height, smoking, and facet joint condition. Therefore, there is not enough evidence to support either PLF or PLIF as the best treatment option. Large multicentre RCTs with proper adjustment for confounding factors and clearly defined inclusion and exclusion criteria should determine whether the two treatment modalities are indeed comparable. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2022 CRD42022338983. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
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