Vol. 10, Issue 3 (2024)

Spondylolisthesis, primarily caused by spondylolysis, often presents as acute low back pain and can lead to conditions such as disc bulging and sciatica. Since Kilian's initial report in 1854, surgical methods, especially vertebral fusion techniques like Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF), have evolved to treat these conditions effectively. PLIF, introduced by Briggs and Milligan in 1944 and later refined by Cloward, became popular in the 1990s due to advancements in interbody implants. Despite its high fusion rates, PLIF has complications, including graft extrusion and neurological damage. A recent study evaluated the functional outcomes of posterior decompression and PLIF in patients with degenerative lumbar instability. This prospective observational study involved 32 patients and demonstrated significant improvements in pain relief and quality of life post-surgery. The study underscores the importance of PLIF in managing lumbar instability but also highlights the need for further research to validate these findings and explore long-term outcomes.