The L5 Vertebrectomy Approach for the Treatment of Spondyloptosis with Reduction of L4 onto S1: Case Report
Pritsanai Pruttikul MD*, Niwet Visetchaisee MD*, Sombat Kunakornsawat MD*
Affiliation : * Institute of Orthopaedics, Lerdsin General Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : Treatment of spondyloptosis is challenging. Dr. Gaines first developed and reported the L5 vertebrectomy
approach for spondyloptosis with satisfactory long-term outcomes. This procedure has been rarely performed in the new
era.
Objective : To report a rare and complex procedure L5 vertebrectomy (Gaines procedure, which now is a rare procedure
and has been reported only by Dr. Gaines) for the treatment spondyloptosis.
Case Report: This study is case report and review of literature. We performed L5 vertebrectomy for the treatment of
spondyloptosis and the results of the procedures was good.
Conclusion : Surgical treatment of spondyloptosis is difficult and complex. The L5 vertebrectomy, a rare and complex
procedure, remains a predictable option, with excellent fusion rates and improved clinical alignment.
Keywords : Spondyloptosis, L5 vertebrectomy
