Introduction: Iatrogenic spondylolisthesis is a known complication after lumbar laminectomy.
Methods: The medical records and radiographic studies of ten patients who underwent decompressive lumbar laminectomy in a single academic center for degenerative spinal stenosis who subsequently developed iatrogenic spondylolisthesis were retrospectively reviewed.
Results: The ten patients included 4 men and 6 women with an average age of 65 years. Over a mean period of 14.1 months postoperatively, new or worsening lower back pain and lower extremity pain were reported. Imaging studies showed evidence of a newly developed spondylolisthesis at the same operative level that was not appreciated prior to the initial surgery. All patients were treated surgically with posterior instrumented fusion. The average period between the first and second surgery was 26.1 months. Surgical reduction of spondylolisthesis resulted in significant improvement of the patients’ clinical symptoms.
Conclusions: Patients who develop recurrent radiculopathy after decompressive laminectomy should be evaluated for potential iatrogenic spondylolisthesis.
Patient Care: Provide clinicians with information regarding the characteristics of patients with iatrogenic spondylolisthesis
Learning Objectives: Known the characteristics of patients who develop iatrogenic spondylolisthesis after decompressive laminectomy