scholarly journals The Interspinous Spacer: A Clinicoanatomical Investigation Using Plastination

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Kaulhausen ◽  
Kourosh Zarghooni ◽  
Gregor Stein ◽  
Jutta Knifka ◽  
Peer Eysel ◽  
...  

Purpose. The relatively new and less-invasive therapeutic alternative “interspinous process decompression device (IPD)” is expected to result in improved symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) caused by lumbar spinal stenosis. The aim of the study was to analyze IPD position particularly regarding damage originating from surgical implantation.Methods. Anatomic assessments were performed on a fresh human cadaver. For the anatomic examination, the lumbar spine was plastinated after implantation of the IPDs. After radiographic control, serial 4 mm thick sections of the block plastinate were cut in the sagittal (L1–L3) and horizontal (L3–L5) planes. The macroanatomical positioning of the implants was then analyzed. The insertion procedure caused only little injury to osteoligamentous or muscular structures. The supraspinous ligament was completely intact, and the interspinous ligaments were not torn as was initially presupposed. No osseous changes at the spinal processes were apparent. Contact of the IPD with the spinous processes was visible, so that sufficient biomechanical limitation of the spinal extension seems likely.Conclusions. Minimally invasive IPD implantation with accurate positioning in the anterior portion of the interspinous place is possible without severe surgical trauma.

2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl Lauryssen

✓With the aging of the population, the number of patients suffering from progressive lumbar spinal stenosis with symptomatic neurogenic intermittent claudication is projected to increase. Unfortunately, these patients are limited to a choice between nonsurgical conservative care and more invasive decompressive surgical procedures such as laminectomy with or without fusion. The X STOP interspinous process decompression system is a commercially available device that provides a minimally invasive alternative treatment, an intermediate option within the continuum of care for these patients. The X STOP is appropriate for patients with moderately severe functional impairment whose symptoms are exacerbated in extension and relieved in flexion. Implanted between the spinous processes without disrupting the normal anatomical structures, the X STOP limits narrowing of the spinal canal and neural foramina by reducing extension at the symptomatic level(s). In this report the author details the approved indications for use of the X STOP and discusses several illustrative cases.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Alexandre ◽  
Andrea Maria Alexandre ◽  
Mario De Pretto ◽  
Luca Corò ◽  
Raul Saggini

Purpose.New interspinous process decompression devices (IPDs) provide an alternative to conservative treatment and decompressive surgery for patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) due to degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS). HeliFix is a minimally invasive IPD that can be implanted percutaneously. This is a preliminary evaluation of safety and effectiveness of this IPD up to 12 months after implantation.Methods.After percutaneous implantation in 100 patients with NIC due to DLSS, data on symptoms, quality of life, pain, and use of pain medication were obtained for up to 12 months.Results.Early symptoms and physical function improvements were maintained for up to 12 months. Leg, buttock/groin, and back pain were eased throughout, and the use and strength of related pain medication were reduced. Devices were removed from 2% of patients due to lack of effectiveness.Conclusions.Overall, in a period of up to 12-month follow-up, the safety and effectiveness of the HeliFix offered a minimally invasive option for the relief of NIC complaints in a high proportion of patients. Further studies are undertaken in order to provide insight on outcomes and effectiveness compared to other decompression methods and to develop guidance on optimal patient selection.


VASA ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hach-Wunderle ◽  
Hach

It is known from current pathophysiology that disease stages I and II of truncal varicosity of the great saphenous vein do not cause changes in venous pressure on dynamic phlebodynamometry. This is possibly also the case for mild cases of the disease in stage III. In pronounced cases of stage III and all cases of stage IV, however, venous hypertension occurs which triggers the symptoms of secondary deep venous insufficiency and all the complications of chronic venous insufficiency. From these facts the therapeutic consequence is inferred that in stages I and II and perhaps also in very mild cases of stage III disease, it is enough "merely" to remove varicose veins without expecting there to be any other serious complications in the patient’s further life caused by the varicosity. Recurrence rates are not included in this analysis. In marked cases of disease stages III and IV of the great saphenous vein, however, secondary deep venous insufficiency is to be expected sooner or later. The classical operation with saphenofemoral high ligation ("crossectomy") and stripping strictly adheres to the recognized pathophysiologic principles. It also takes into account in the greatest detail aspects of minimally invasive surgery and esthetics. In the past few years, developments have been advanced to further minimize surgical trauma and to replace the stripping maneuver using occlusion of the trunk vein which is left in place. Obliteration of the vessel is subsequently performed via transmission of energy through an inserted catheter. This includes the techniques of radiofrequency ablation and endovenous laser treatment. High ligation is not performed as a matter of principle. In a similar way, sclerotherapy using microfoam is minimally invasive in character. All these procedures may be indicated for disease stages I and II, and with reservations also in mild forms of stage III disease. Perhaps high ligation previously constituted overtreatment in some cases. Targeted studies are still needed to prove whether secondary deep venous insufficiency can be avoided in advanced stages of varicose vein disease without high ligation and thus without exclusion of the whole recirculation circuit.


2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoher Ghogawala ◽  
Daniel K. Resnick ◽  
William C. Watters ◽  
Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽  
Andrew T. Dailey ◽  
...  

Assessment of functional patient-reported outcome following lumbar spinal fusion continues to be essential for comparing the effectiveness of different treatments for patients presenting with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. When assessing functional outcome in patients being treated with lumbar spinal fusion, a reliable, valid, and responsive outcomes instrument such as the Oswestry Disability Index should be used. The SF-36 and the SF-12 have emerged as dominant measures of general health-related quality of life. Research has established the minimum clinically important difference for major functional outcomes measures, and this should be considered when assessing clinical outcome. The results of recent studies suggest that a patient's pretreatment psychological state is a major independent variable that affects the ability to detect change in functional outcome.


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