%0 Journal Article %T Indirect pars repair for pediatric isthmic spondylolysis: a case series %A Raudenbush, Brandon L. %A Chambers, Reid C. %A Silverstein, Michael P. %A Goodwin, Ryan C. %J Journal of Spine Surgery %D 2017 %B 2017 %9 %! Indirect pars repair for pediatric isthmic spondylolysis: a case series %K %X Background: Isthmic spondylolysis (ISY) is a common cause of back pain in the pediatric population. Historically, non-operative treatments have had a very high success rate. The purpose of this study was to review the mid-term results of an indirect pars repair technique on reducing the visual analog score for pain (VAS), spondylolysis defect healing, complication rates and rates of return to pre-surgery activity level in pediatric patients who failed conservative care for ISY. Methods: A retrospective review of all pediatric patients ( Results: Nine patients (6 females, 3 males) were treated surgically. Average age at the time of surgery was 15.4 years, (range, 13 to 17 years). Average length of final follow-up was 11.9 months (range, 6 to 24 months). Preoperative VAS averaged 5.6 points (range, 2 to 8 points) compared to final follow-up of 1.2 (range, 0 to 3). Definitive bony healing was noted in 7 of 9 cases (77.8%) with at least 6 months follow-up. Eight of nine patients (88.9%) returned to preoperative competitive sports activity level. No complications were noted during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Pediatric patients treated surgically with indirect pars repair appear to achieve satisfactory mid-term outcomes. This technique appears safe, and has both a high healing rate and return to competitive athletics. Further study is needed to determine durability of this procedure. %U https://jss.amegroups.org/article/view/3876 %V 3 %N 3 %P 387-391 %@ 2414-4630