Abstract
Introduction: The long term integrity of the intervertebral disc following repair of pars interarticularis defects in the lumbar spine is uncertain. This study was undertaken to clarify this issue.
Materials and Methods: 26 patients with symptomatic lumbar spondylolyis underwent a modified Scott repair of the defects, between 1979 and 1993. The early results of these patients were presented to the British Scoliosis Society in 1998. Ten patients have been recalled and reviewed clinically and by MRI investigation at a mean follow-up of 10 years.
Results: Eight of the 10 patients are completely asymptomatic and the MRI appearances are normal. The remaining two patients are symptomatic; one has MRI evidence of disc degeneration and the other has normal MRI appearances.
Conclusion: Repair of the pars interarticularis defect in symptomatic spondylolysis gives excellent symptomatic relief following surgery. This long term review indicates that it protects the integrity of the adjacent intervertebral disc.
Abstracts prepared by Mr J. Dorgan. Correspondence should be addressed to him at the Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital, Alder Hey, Eaton Road, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK
President’s Lecture: Natural history and management of Congenital Kyphosis and Kyphoscoliosis M.J. McMaster, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Greg Houghton Lecture: Idiopathic Scoliosis – Alternatives to traditional surgery R.R. Betz, Philadelphia, USA
Instructional Lecture:New thoughts on the treatment of paralytic scoliosis R.R. Betz, Philadelphia, USA
Keynote Lectures: Idiopathic Scoliosis – How to manage the patient R.A. Dickson, Leeds, UK
Concave or convex approach for Kyphoscoliosis J. Dubousset, Paris, France Surgery or bracing for moderate AIS. How long term follow-up studies change your perspective A. Nachemson, Göteborg, Sweden
