The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients

Abstract To investigate the long-term outcomes of young spondylolysis patients treated with smiley face rod surgery. The study is a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 45 young lumbar spondylolysis patients from 2008 to 2024. All patients underwent smiley face rod surgery and the follow-u...

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Main Authors: Qiang Zhang, Zhe Chen, Yazhou Lin, Jianru Qiu, Xinkai Zhang, Peng Cao, Wenjian Wu, Yu Liang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04362-0
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author Qiang Zhang
Zhe Chen
Yazhou Lin
Jianru Qiu
Xinkai Zhang
Peng Cao
Wenjian Wu
Yu Liang
author_facet Qiang Zhang
Zhe Chen
Yazhou Lin
Jianru Qiu
Xinkai Zhang
Peng Cao
Wenjian Wu
Yu Liang
author_sort Qiang Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract To investigate the long-term outcomes of young spondylolysis patients treated with smiley face rod surgery. The study is a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 45 young lumbar spondylolysis patients from 2008 to 2024. All patients underwent smiley face rod surgery and the follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 17 years. The clinical outcomes (VAS score, ODI index, and Odom score) and radiological evaluations were compared before/after surgery and at the final follow-up. All the participations reported satisfactory short-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery, with VAS scale and ODI index improved significantly 3 months after surgery. The VAS scale and ODI index both maintained good enough until final follow-up (mean 11.2 years). The successful union rate was only 57.5% at 12 months after surgery and 58.6% at final follow-up, as shown in 3D-CT scan. And the VAS and ODI scales had no statistical difference between the healed and unhealed patients. The smiley face rod technique demonstrated long-term satisfactory outcomes for treating young spondylolysis. Though the healing rate was only 57.5–58.6%, all patients reported excellent clinic outcomes and the healing status had no impact on clinic outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-130c425993444ef5bc7d2720fcd237b02025-08-20T03:45:23ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511610.1038/s41598-025-04362-0The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patientsQiang Zhang0Zhe Chen1Yazhou Lin2Jianru Qiu3Xinkai Zhang4Peng Cao5Wenjian Wu6Yu Liang7Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of MedicineAbstract To investigate the long-term outcomes of young spondylolysis patients treated with smiley face rod surgery. The study is a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 45 young lumbar spondylolysis patients from 2008 to 2024. All patients underwent smiley face rod surgery and the follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 17 years. The clinical outcomes (VAS score, ODI index, and Odom score) and radiological evaluations were compared before/after surgery and at the final follow-up. All the participations reported satisfactory short-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery, with VAS scale and ODI index improved significantly 3 months after surgery. The VAS scale and ODI index both maintained good enough until final follow-up (mean 11.2 years). The successful union rate was only 57.5% at 12 months after surgery and 58.6% at final follow-up, as shown in 3D-CT scan. And the VAS and ODI scales had no statistical difference between the healed and unhealed patients. The smiley face rod technique demonstrated long-term satisfactory outcomes for treating young spondylolysis. Though the healing rate was only 57.5–58.6%, all patients reported excellent clinic outcomes and the healing status had no impact on clinic outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04362-0Smiley face rodGilletLumbar spondylolysisLong-term outcomesYoung patients
spellingShingle Qiang Zhang
Zhe Chen
Yazhou Lin
Jianru Qiu
Xinkai Zhang
Peng Cao
Wenjian Wu
Yu Liang
The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
Scientific Reports
Smiley face rod
Gillet
Lumbar spondylolysis
Long-term outcomes
Young patients
title The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
title_full The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
title_fullStr The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
title_full_unstemmed The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
title_short The long-term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
title_sort long term outcomes after smiley face rod surgery in young lumbar spondylolysis patients
topic Smiley face rod
Gillet
Lumbar spondylolysis
Long-term outcomes
Young patients
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04362-0
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