To compare the clinical outcomes of instrumented fusion for single level degenerative spondylolisthesis with local bone versus iliac crest bone graft.

Fifty patients (32 female, 18 males) operated on by the author over a 3 year period were reviewed. All cases had a single level decompression and instrumented fusion for a degenerative spondylolisthesis. 25 patients had iliac crest graft and 25 had morcelised local bone graft. Patients were followed up for 6 months. Pre and postoperative visual analogue pain scores and Roland disability scores were recorded. Inpatient notes were reviewed for duration of surgery and duration of stay.

There was no difference in age, sex and severity of pre operative symptoms between the two groups. There was no significant difference in improvement in Roland score between the two groups but pain scores were lower in the local graft group although this was not statistically significant. Duration of surgery (140 vs 175min) and hospital stay (4.3 vs 5.1 days) were lower in the local bone graft group.6 patients in the iliac crest graft group complained of donor site pain vs none in the local graft group at 6 months.

Usage of morcelised local bone graft resulted in clinical outcomes comparable to iliac crest bone graft in patients undergoing decompression and fusion for a single level degenerative spondylolisthesis. Duration of surgery, hospital stay and donor site pain are reduced when local bone was utilised.