Effect of the decompression only compared to decompression with on lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis: A meta-analysis

Background: A meta-analysis study was completed to measure how to forecast the effect of the decompression only compared to decompression with fusion on lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods: Until October 2024, an inclusive literature study was accomplished, and 1865 related studies were reviewed. The 31 nominated studies encompassed 31678 participants with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis at the beginning of the study. The odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to look at the outcome of the decompression only compared to decompression with fusion on lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis dichotomous, or continuous methods with either a fixed or random model. Results: In individuals with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, decompression had significantly lower visual analog scale back score (MD, -0.57; 95% CI,-0.91- -0.23, p=0.001), visual analog scale leg score (MD, -0.26; 95% CI, -.49- -0.03, p=0.03), Oswestry Disability Index score (MD, -2.42; 95% CI, -4.75- -0.08, p=0.04), operation time (MD, -82.60; 95% CI, -130.06- -35.14, p<0.001) intraoperative blood loss (MD, -261.93; 95% CI, -360.49- -163.36, p<0.001), and length of hospital stay (MD, -20.09; 95% CI, -29.55- -10.64, p<0.001) compared to decompression with fusion treatment. However, no significant difference was found between decompression and decompression with fusion treatment in European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions score (MD, -0.01; 95% CI, -0.04-0.01, p=0.28) Short-Form 36 physical component summary (MD, -0.73; 95% CI, -2.70-1.24, p=0.47), Short-Form 36 mental component summary score (MD, 0.08; 95% CI, -2.94-3.10, p=0.96), patient satisfaction (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.25-1.09, p=0.08), overall complication rate (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.68-1.26, p=0.61), and overall reoperation rate (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.85-2.13, p=0.21) in individuals with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis. Conclusions: In individuals with lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis, decompression had significantly lower visual analog scale back score, visual analog scale leg score, Oswestry Disability Index score, operation time, intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay, however, no significant difference was in European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions score Short-Form 36 physical component summary, Short-Form 36 mental component summary score, patient satisfaction overall complication rate and overall reoperation compared to decompression with fusion treatment. To validate this finding more studies are required, and care is essential to be implemented when interconnecting with its values, since many comparisons had law number of selected studies.