Modified repair of a defect in spondylolysis or minimal spondylolisthesis by pedicle screw, segmental wire fixation, and bone grafting.

A surgical technique for treatment of spondylolysis or minimal isthmic spondylolisthesis is described. The authors based their treatment on the Scott technique, which involves placing an 18-gauge stainless steel wire around the transverse process bilaterally and then tightening the wires to each other inferiorly to the posterior spinal process. The modified technique consists of a tension band wire around the posterior spinous process and a 4.5 mm AO cortical screw in the pedicle. A case study of a 20-year old female athletic student is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the modified technique. The authors believe that this technique offers the advantages of maintaining all motion segments and avoiding the risks of damaging the exciting nerve root just beneath the transverse process.