Background:

Circumferential fusion with or without reduction is the preferred treatment for high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. Reduction presents significant risk of neurological injury. The authors present one case in which the “reverse Bohlman” technique was used with the addition of a hyperlordotic interbody cage at L4-5 as a means to correct sagittal malalignment while avoiding the reduction of L5 on S1.

Observations:

The patient was a 22-year-old woman with a long-term history of lower back pain and bilateral L5 radiculopathy secondary to high-grade isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis. She underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion using the reverse Bohlman technique plus a hyperlordotic interbody cage at L4-5, followed by decompression and posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion from L4 to the pelvis. At 2-year follow-up, she was found to have complete resolution of symptoms with clinical and radiographic evidence of fusion. Her spinopelvic parameters had significantly improved.

Lessons:

The reverse Bohlman technique with the addition of a hyperlordotic interbody cage at L4-5 is a potential alternative treatment method to correct sagittal malalignment while avoiding possible injury to the L5 nerve roots that can be seen in the reduction of high-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.