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. 2011:5:361-7.
doi: 10.2174/1874325001105010361. Epub 2011 Oct 14.

Minimally invasive treatment of moderate lumbar spinal stenosis with the superion interspinous spacer

Affiliations

Minimally invasive treatment of moderate lumbar spinal stenosis with the superion interspinous spacer

Walter Bini et al. Open Orthop J. 2011.

Abstract

Purpose: We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the minimally invasive Superion(®) Interspinous Spacer (VertiFlex, Inc., San Clemente, CA) in patients with moderate LSS.

Methods: This single-arm prospective study enrolled 121 patients with moderate LSS between February 2008 and August 2009 and were followed up at 1 (n=111), 3 (n=96), 6 (n=81), and 12 (n=52) months. All patients were treated with the Superion Interspinous Spacer. Main outcomes were back function with the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), extremity and axial pain severity with an 11-point scale, health-related quality of life with the Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores from the SF-36, and adverse events through 12 months.

Results: ODI improved 64% (p<0.001) through 12 months and clinical success was 92%. Extremity and axial pain improved 53% and 49% (both p<0.001), respectively, through 12 months with clinical success of 76% for axial pain and 86% for extremity pain. Health-related quality of life improved 41% for PCS and 22% for MCS (both p<0.001) through 12 months. PCS clinical success was 81% and MCS clinical success was 62% at 12 months. Four (5.9%) explants were performed although 3 were unrelated to the device. Eight procedure-related adverse events, observed in 6 (5.0%) patients, included superficial incision seroma (n=5), minor wound pain (n=2), and infection (n=1).

Conclusions: Preliminary results with the Superion Interspinous Spacer suggest that it is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with moderate LSS who are unresponsive to conservative care.

Keywords: Interspinous spacer; Superion.; lumbar spinal stenosis; minimally invasive.

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Superion Interspinous Spacer in situ. (a) A/P view, (b) lateral view.
Fig. (2)
Fig. (2)
(a) A/P and (b) lateral radiographic image showing a properly placed Superion Interspinous Spacer.
Fig. (3)
Fig. (3)
Improvement in back function through 12 months posttreatment.
Fig. (4)
Fig. (4)
Back function clinical success rates through 12 months post-treatment.
Fig. (5)
Fig. (5)
Improvement in pain severity through 12 months posttreatment.
Fig. (6)
Fig. (6)
Pain severity clinical success rates through 12 months post-treatment.
Fig. (7)
Fig. (7)
SF-36 assessment of quality of life through 12 months post-treatment.
Fig. (8)
Fig. (8)
Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary score improvement through 12 months post-treatment.
Fig. (9)
Fig. (9)
Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary success rates through 12 months post-treatment.
Fig. (10)
Fig. (10)
A/P (a) and lateral (b) radiographs comparing the profile of the X-STOP versus the Superion interspinous spacers.

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