Long term results of the use of a fusion-promoting, new generation interspinous processes device (IPD), Bacfuse®: a monocentric prospective study
A. Spallone Ncl-Institute of Neurological Sciences, Rome, Italy. aldospallone@hotmail.com
OBJECTIVE: Lumbar micro instability is a diffuse problem mostly in elderly population. Interspinous processes devices (IPDs) have been introduced in the clinical practice for relieving the dynamic compression on the nerve roots due to instability. First-generation IPDs did not achieve bone fusion so their good immediate postoperative results did not last in the long term. More recently, a new version of IPD, Bacfuse®, has been introduced with the aim of achieving postoperative fusion.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We started using this new device in 2015. We investigated prospectively the long-term results of a series of 41 patients with small-to-moderate lumbar instability. In 29 of them the IPD was placed as an adjunct to decompressive surgery whilst in 12 patients it was implemented as a stand-alone technique.
RESULTS: Immediate post-operative results showed significant clinical improvement in all cases. This improvement was still present in 32 of them at the last follow-up, 2.5 to 4 years following surgery. The dynamics of clinical symptoms did not change after two years of observation, a fact that indicates that no changes are to be expected afterward. Spinal fusion was obtained in more than 2/3 of the patients and not surprisingly was correlated with better clinical results. Excessive body weight appeared to be a negative factor for achieving both spinal fusion and good results.
CONCLUSIONS: Bacfuse® seems to be a very good surgical tool for patients bearing small to moderate lumbar instability whether or not submitted to direct decompressive surgery.
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To cite this article
A. Spallone
Long term results of the use of a fusion-promoting, new generation interspinous processes device (IPD), Bacfuse®: a monocentric prospective study
Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci
Year: 2022
Vol. 26 - N. 20
Pages: 7561-7565
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202210_30030