[Application of diapason instrumentation for treatment of unstable lumbosacral spinal stenosis].

OBJECTIVE

To observe the preliminary clinical outcome of using a new instrumentation Diapason system and to introduce the characterization and surgical technique of this new system for treatment of unstable lumbar spinal stenosis.

METHODS

16 patients with unstable spinal stenosis who were treated by decompression, posterolateral intertransverse arthrodesis and transpedicle instrumentation of Diapason system, were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Lower back pain (LBP) of 16 patients were significantly alleviated after surgery (scores of LBP before operation: 47.5 +/- 0.8; scores of LBP after operation: 31.9 +/- 2.3, P < 0.001). There was no implant failure, no early or later infection and no neurological complications in 16 patients at an average of 6.2-month follow-ups. No pseudoarthrosis was observed on roentgenography.

CONCLUSION

Our short-term follow-up and limited cases study showed satisfactory preliminary result of treating unstable lumbar spinal stenosis with Diapason internal fixation.