Short-term clinical outcomes of Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization for single-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis in the aged
  
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DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1264.2012.00191
Key words:the aged  spinal stenosis  Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization system  adjacent segment degeneration
Author NameAffiliationE-mail
XIA Zihuan, WU Ji, ZHENG Chao, et al Department of Orthopaedics, Chinese PLA Air Force General Hospital, Beijing 100142, China bjwuji@hotmail.com 
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Abstract:
      Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of lumbar spinal canal decompression and Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization for single-segmental lumbar spinal stenosis in the aged. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of 25 aged patients who suffered from the degenerative spinal stenosis of L4-5 and received spinal canal decompression and Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization operation in Chinese PLA Air Force General Hospital during January 2008 to December 2010. There were 11 males and 14 females, with an average age of 65 years. The follow up period of every patient was not less than 6 months. We recorded the Oswestry dysfunction index(ODI) and visual analog score(VAS) preoperatively, at 3 days, 1 months and 6 months postoperatively and measured the height of intervertebral spaces and intervertebral foraminas of the operative segment(L4-5) and the adjacent segment(L3-4 and L5-S1) in the radiograph images. All the intraoperative and postoperative complications of every patient were also recorded. Results The Wallis systems were all successfully implanted after spinal canal decompression in total 25 cases. No operation-relatived complications happened. Every patient got symptomatic relief to some extent after the operation, with significant difference in ODI and VAS between preoperation and 3 days, 1 months and 6 months postoperatively. (P<0.01). And there was no statistical difference in the height of intervertebral spaces and intervertebral foraminas of the adjacent segment(L3-4 and L5-S1) between 3 days and 1 months and 6 months postoperatively(P>0.05). Conclusions Spinal canal decompression and Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization for degenerative spinal stenosis in the aged can get satisfactory short-term clinical outcomes. The Wallis system is effective to keep the height of intervertebral space and intervertebral foramina of the operative segment, and no degeneration of the adjacent segments is observed in short-term follow up.
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