TY - JOUR T1 - Decompression Alone Compared to Decompression With Fusion in Patients With Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression JF - International Journal of Spine Surgery JO - Int J Spine Surg SP - 71 LP - 80 DO - 10.14444/8179 VL - 16 IS - 1 AU - Raymond Pranata AU - Michael Anthonius Lim AU - Rachel Vania AU - Tjokorda Gde Bagus Mahadewa Y1 - 2022/02/01 UR - http://ijssurgery.com//content/16/1/71.abstract N2 - Background We aimed to synthesize the latest evidence on the efficacy and safety of decompression alone compared to decompression with fusion in patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis. We also aimed to evaluate factors affecting the efficacy and complications.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Europe PMC, Cochrane Central Database, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The main outcome was improvement in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The secondary outcome was back pain and leg pain improvement, complications, reoperation rate, duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, and blood loss.Results There were 3993 patients from 13 studies. Decompression with fusion was associated with greater reduction in ODI (mean difference 4.04 [95% CI 0.95, 7.13], P = 0.01) compared to decompression alone. Greater reduction in back (standardized mean difference [SMD] 0.27 [95% CI 0.00, 0.53], P = 0.05) and leg pain (SMD 0.13 [95% CI 0.06, 0.21], P < 0.001) was observed in the decompression with fusion group. Complications were similar in the 2 groups (OR 0.60 [95% CI 0.34, 1.04], P = 0.07). The reoperation rate was similar in both groups (P = 0.54). Decompression alone resulted in shorter duration of surgery (mean difference −85.18 minutes [95% CI −122.79, −47.57], P < 0.001), less blood loss (mean difference −262.65 mL [95% CI −313.45, −211.85], P < 0.001), and shorter hospital stay (mean difference −2.64 days [95% CI −3.58, −1.70], P < 0.001). Empirical Bayes random-effects meta-regression showed that the rate of complication was influenced by age (coefficient 0.172, P = 0.004).Conclusion Decompression with fusion had greater efficacy than decompression alone but was associated with more blood loss, lengthier surgery, and hospitalization. In terms of complications, decompression alone may be beneficial in younger patients. (PROSPERO CRD42020211904)Level of Evidence 2A. ER -