Abstract
Technological advancements in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis aim to match the efficacy of conventional methods with reduced surgical morbidity and faster postoperative recovery. Endoscopic surgery, anesthesia enabling awake surgery, enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, and activity monitoring are prime examples of these technologies. Endoscopy for decompression and interbody fusion decreases soft tissue disruption and operative time. Awake surgery eliminates many of the harmful effects associated with general anesthesia. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols optimizes patient factors in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative periods to reduce pain, reduce morbidity, and speed postoperative recovery. Activity monitoring provides an objective, reliable, and reproducible method of outcome assessment. This chapter reviews each of these innovations, and the profound impact each will have on the treatment of degenerative spine diseases in years to come.