Percutaneous Interspinous Spacer vs Decompression in Patients with Neurogenic Claudication: An Alternative in Selected Patients?

Background: Standalone interspinous process devices (IPDs) to treat degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic intermittent claudication (NIC) have shown ambiguous results in the literature.

Objective: To show that a minimally invasive percutaneous IPD is safe and noninferior to standalone decompressive surgery (SDS) for patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis with NIC.

Methods: A multicenter, international, randomized, controlled trial (RCT) was con- ducted.

Role of a collagen membrane in adhesion prevention strategy for complex spinal surgeries.

Purpose: Following lumbar spine surgery, postoperative complications can appear, including epidural adhesions. The formation of fibrosis around the dura mater can, on the one hand, lead to compression of the nerve roots with recurrent radicular pain and, on the other hand, can increase the risks of specific complications at spinal re-intervention (haematomas and dural breaches). The aim of this prospective monocentric study was to assess the safety of a new collagen antiadhesion membrane in vertebral osteotomy surgery where scar tissue and adhesions are important.

Biomechanical assessment of anterior lumbar interbody fusion with an anterior lumbosacral fixation screw-plate: comparison to stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion and anterior lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screws in an unstable human cadaver model.

Study Design: Human lumbosacral cadaveric specimens were tested in an in vitro biomechanical flexibility experiment using physiologic loads in 5 sequential conditions.

Objective: To determine the biomechanical differences between anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) using cylindrical threaded cages alone or supplemented with an anterior screw-plate or posterior pedicle screws-rods.

Summary Of Background Data: Clinically and biomechanically, stand-alone ALIF performs modestly in immobilizing the unstable spine.

Iliac crest bone graft donor site pain after anterior lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective patient satisfaction outcome assessment.

Background: Autogenous iliac crest bone is the gold-standard graft for spinal fusion surgery. Unfortunately, there is a frequent incidence of graft site pain that persists well into the postoperative period with complication rates reported in 2.8-39% of patients.

Design rationale and biomechanics of Maverick Total Disc arthroplasty with early clinical results.

This paper reviews the design criteria, biomechanical and biological (wear and safety) testing of this chrome cobalt metal-on-metal, ball and socket design prosthesis. The surgical technique and early clinical results of the initial implantations are also reviewed. Initial results of 7 Maverick implantations showed all 7 patients attaining a 15 point Oswestry improvement within 3 months after implantation.

Retrograde ejaculation after anterior lumbar interbody fusion: transperitoneal versus retroperitoneal exposure.

Study Design: In this multicenter, prospective, 2-year study, 146 male patients underwent a single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion with a tapered threaded titanium fusion device. All the patients were advised before surgery of the risk for retrograde ejaculation. After surgery, any case of retrograde ejaculation was recorded as an adverse event, and the patient was observed up for the remainder of the study.