title: [Spinal fusion combined with dynamic interspinous fixation with Coflex system for lumbar degenerative disease].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the effect of the implantation of Coflex interspious stabilization device combined with pinal fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS; From March 2008 to March 2010, 18 patients with two levels lumbar degenerative disease were treated with spinal fusion and dynamic interspinous fixation with Coflex system. There were 11 males and 7 females. The average age was 50.2 years (range 41 to 62 years). The VAS and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess clinical symptoms preoperatively and postoperatively. All patients underwent flexion/extension radiographs examinations before surgery and at last follow-up. Range of motion (ROM) and disc height index (DHI) were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for 12 months averagely (range 6-30 months). At final follow-up, leg VAS, back VAS and ODI functional score were significant improved than those of preoperation [back VAS: 1.50 +/- 0.90 vs 7.20 +/- 0.90; leg VAS: 1.10 +/- 0.80 vs 5.20 +/- 0.90; ODI functional score: (15.90 +/- 5.80)% vs (52.50 +/- 5.90)%]. The DHI increased from 0.23 +/- 0.05 preoperatively to 0.35 +/- 0.06 postoperatively and to 0.33 +/- 0.04 at final follow-up, the height of intervertebral space were not found significant loss. The ROM at the Coflex stabilized levels on the X-ray views was (8.90 +/- 1.80) degrees preoperatively, (8.30 +/- 1.90) degrees postoperatively, and (8.10 +/- 1.80) degrees at final follow-up. There was no significant difference between final follow-up and preoperative (P = 0.19). The ROM of the lumbar spine (L2-S1) was (20.20 +/- 5.60) degrees preoperatively, (14.40 +/- 5.70) degrees postoperatively, and (15.50 +/- 5.20) degrees at final follow-up. There was significant reduction of the [E-S, ROM at final follow-up (P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Posterior interspinous stabilization with Coflex system combined with spinal fusion can obtain satisfactory outcomes for patients with two levels lumbar degenerative disease in the short follow-up duration. Nevertheless,no overwhelming evidence suggested that the system is better than traditional fusion at present. The selection of surgical indication is important for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, the 210th Hospital of Chinese PLA , Dalian 116021, Liaoning, China. lvshunman@sina.com
authors: Zhong-Hai
authors: ZH
authors: Li
authors: Shi-Yuan
authors: SY
authors: Wang
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Tang
authors: Hui
authors: H
authors: Ma
authors: Qui-Lin
authors: QL
authors: Zhang
authors: Tie-Sheng
authors: TS
authors: HoU