title: [A Comparison of Dorsal Decompression and Dorsal Decompression Combined with the Dynamic Stabilisation Device LimiFlex™].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is commonly treated by dorsal decompression. However, resection of posterior elements increases the biomechanical instability and may lead to further complications. In order to prevent this, fusion of the involved segments is often performed. But further complications may be associated with this, for example, highly reduced flexibility. In order to overcome fusion-related problems, dynamic stabilisation devices, like the new LimiFlex™ Paraspinous Tension Band (PSB), have been developed. This prospective study compares dorsal decompression without stabilisation and dorsal decompression with stabilisation using the PSB in patients with lumbar canal stenosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-three patients with stenosis involving one or two lumbar vertebral levels were treated with dorsal decompression. Forty received the PSB following decompression surgery. Back, hip and leg pain as well as patient's degree of disability were assessed preoperatively and at 3, 6 and 12 months postoperatively for all patients. Evaluations were conducted using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Adverse events during the study period were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who received the PSB experienced a better pain relief and improvement in disability compared to patients who received treatment through decompression only. A significant difference of VAS and ODI development was found between both groups when treating two vertebral levels. Furthermore, the total number of adverse events was lower in the PSB group compared to the decompression group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dynamic stabilisation using the PSB delivers better results in terms of VAS and ODI values when compared to only dorsal decompression. In addition, it is also associated with a lower number of complications. The PSB is most favourable when 2 levels are treated.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bornemann
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wirtz
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pflugmacher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome