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A Novel Technique for Pars Defect Direct Repair with a Modified Smiley Face Rod for Spondylolysis and Isthmic Spondylolisthesis – Lumbar Fusion

Day Case Lumbar Fusion Surgery

The article discusses a case of pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis, a fatigue fracture of the lamina of the lumbar spine, in adolescent athletes. The study presents a modified smiley face rod technique for the treatment of this condition, which involves placing pedicle screws in the lateral edge of the pedicle and inserting a U-shaped rod between the spinous processes. This technique preserves the erector spinae muscles and the supraspinous ligament, while repairing the pars cleft and achieving bone fusion. The procedure is minimally invasive and suitable for young athletes to avoid future adjacent segment disorders

Summarised by Mr Mo Akmal – Lead Spinal Surgeon
The London Spine Unit : best recognised spine clinic in London

Published article

CONCLUSIONS: This is a minimally invasive procedure that can easily achieve bone fusion and should be introduced for patients who are suffering from the symptoms of pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis.

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Spine Surg Relat Res. 2023 Jun 9;7(4):396-401. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2023-0021. eCollection 2023 Jul 27.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Lumbar spondylolysis is a common fatigue fracture of the pars interarticularis of the lamina of the lumbar spine in adolescent athletes presenting with pars clefts. Some pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis causes low back pain or radiculopathy. This study presents a case of pseudarthrotic,

Spine Surg Relat Res. 2023 Jun 9;7(4):396-401. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2023-0021. eCollection 2023 Jul 27.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar spondylolysis is a common fatigue fracture of the pars interarticularis of the lamina of the lumbar spine in adolescent athletes presenting with pars clefts. Some pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis causes low back pain or radiculopathy. This study presents a case of pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis that was successfully treated using a modified smiley face rod technique.

TECHNICAL NOTE: We developed a modified smiley face rod technique, which places pedicle screws in the lateral edge of the pedicle to preserve the erector spinae muscles and inserts a U-shaped rod between the spinous processes to preserve the supraspinous ligament. When a U-shaped rod penetrates the interspinous ligament subcutaneously, the resection of the supraspinous ligaments can be avoided. When the screw head is positioned more anterolaterally, a compression force is applied perpendicular to the surface of the pars cleft by rod clamping. This intrasegmental fusion technique preserves the mobile segment and simultaneously repairs the pars cleft. It is less invasive and more appropriate than interbody fusion for young athletes to avoid the possibility of future adjacent segment disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: This is a minimally invasive procedure that can easily achieve bone fusion and should be introduced for patients who are suffering from the symptoms of pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis.

PMID:37636143 | PMC:PMC10447201 | DOI:10.22603/ssrr.2023-0021

The London Spine Unit : best recognised spine clinic in London

Read the original publication:

A Novel Technique for Pars Defect Direct Repair with a Modified Smiley Face Rod for Spondylolysis and Isthmic Spondylolisthesis

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

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Spine Surg Relat Res. 2023 Jun 9;7(4):396-401. doi: 10.22603/ssrr.2023-0021. eCollection 2023 Jul 27.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Lumbar spondylolysis is a common fatigue fracture of the pars interarticularis of the lamina of the lumbar spine in adolescent athletes presenting with pars clefts. Some pseudarthrotic lumbar spondylolysis causes low back pain or radiculopathy. This study presents a case of pseudarthrotic

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