Answer to the letter to the editor of Y. Zhu, et al. concerning “percutaneous pedicle screw placement with a mini-open decompression versus open surgery in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis: one-year results of a randomised controlled trial” by A. Broekema, et al. (Eur spine J [2025]: doi:10.1007/s00586-025-08855-4)