title: Endoscopic decompression combined with interspinous process implant fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose a new technique to treat lumbar spinal stenosis with median approach endoscopic decompression combined with interspinous process implant fusion and evaluate the initial clinical outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study involved 30 patients who had neurogenic commitment claudication over 2 years and were resistant to conservative therapy. All cases were treated using the median approach endoscopic decompression combined with interspinous process implant fusion in 2006. Clinical signs and radicular pain were noted and evaluated preoperatively and at the 1st month and 3rd month postoperatively. Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate leg and back pain. X-ray films at flexion and extension were applied to evaluate the range of motion at involved segments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a significant increase in JOA score postoperatively, but no significant difference preoperatively or postoperatively between the two groups.The range of motion at involved segments was significantly higher in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The median approach endoscopic decompression is an ideal method for bilateral radiculopathy resulting from lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The combination with interspinous process implant fusion can stabilize the spine.The initial clinical outcome is exllent. Preservation of adjacent level disease can be assessed only in long-term follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing General Hospital, Nanjing Military Command, Nanjing 210002, China. liug2002xian@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jian-Ning
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dezawa
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome