Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra among Patients Visiting the Department of Orthopaedics in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Lumbosacral transitional vertebra is a normal anatomical variant at the L5-S1 junction with an incidence as high as 4-36%. This alteration results in incorrect identification of vertebral segments leading to wrong surgery. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra among patients visiting the department of orthopaedics in a tertiary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 11 September 2021 to 31 May 2022, after receiving ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: IRC-2021-9-10-09). The patients with plain radiographs of the lumbosacral spine (anteroposterior view) were assessed and evaluated by a fellow and consultant of the orthopaedic spine and classified as per Castellvi's radiographic classification. Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Among 1002 patients, lumbosacral transitional vertebra was detected in 95 (9.48%) patients (9.40-9.56, 95% Confidence Interval). Out of 95 (9.48%) patients with the lumbosacral transitional vertebra, 67 (70.53%) had sacralisation and 28 (29.47%) had lumbarization. The mean age of the patients at the time of the study included in the study was 41.6±15.12 years (range 18-85 years). The lumbosacral transitional vertebra was more common in females than males. According to the Castellvi classification, type IIa was the most common type 47 (49.47%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra was similar to other studies done in similar settings.