Background
This technique is relatively new, having been designed in Switzerland and developed in Germany over the last ten years. It has only been in clinical use since 1994, and therefore the long-term follow-up is now over 15 years. It is a system designed to stabilise the spine, taking the pressure off damaged structures such as discs and joints, without resorting to a fusion. The spine, therefore, remains mobile at the operated level.
Who Needs it?
This technique is used in patients who require surgical stabilisation of one or more spinal segments, having failed to adequately improve with non-surgical treatments. In these cases there may be a desire to retain movement at the painful level either because nearby levels are damaged (but not painful) or if the patient is young. In elderly patients a fusion may fail because of the poor bone quality and here again the technique can be useful. In the rare case where the patient has had surgery before to remove a bulging piece of disc material (often the cause of sciatica) and a further piece of disc comes out, the technique can be used to “decompress” the disc and prevent any future problems recurring. Where the spinal canal is narrowed causing pressure on the nerves (“canal stenosis”) this system may be used to slightly bend the spine forwards at the affected level or levels and stabilise it, to make a little extra space. This decompresses the nerve roots and overcomes the symptoms, usually of leg pain brought on by walking.
Pre operative advice
48 hours before surgery, take some gentle laxatives (lactulose, senna) to ensure you have your bowels opened on the day of surgery.
On the day of your surgery it is important to remain Nil by Mouth. Do not eat beyond midnight the night before you arrive but you may continue to drink water up to two hours before admission, where you will be advised further.
It is not necessary to bring your medications with you, as these are supplied from Pharmacy at The Hospital (you can use your medications when you return home). However, if you take a number of medications, please bring a list of names and doses so they can be appropriately supplied by the pharmacy department.
You will need to bring your scans with you for Dr Bhatti to review on the morning of surgery.
How is it done?
The operation is performed under general anaesthetic with the patient lying face down on a well padded table. There are two types of surgical approach, the midline and the “Tramline” (or Wiltse) approach.
The midline approach
An incision is made in the midline on the back over the affected level and the position confirmed with an x-ray.The muscles are parted from the spine and the bones can then be easily seen. A decompression is performed with microinstruments and microscope at the level of degeneration. The device is inserted under very controlled tension/compression or distraction to allow the pressure to be taken off that level, without distorting the normal anatomy. The wound is then closed with absorbable sutures.
Post operative Care
You will wake up in theatre recovery, where you will spend a short time recovering from the anaesthetic.
You will then be transferred back to the ward, or sent home depending on your pre-cert with insurance, and your condition after surgery.
It is important not to eat or drink too quickly post operatively to avoid sickness and further complications. You will have maintenance fluids intravenously to keep you hydrated.
On day 1 post operatively, you will be seen by the physical therapy team on the ward. They will start teaching you how to safely get out of bed, and will help you to start walking again. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy the first few times you get up — this is normal, and will wear off. The therapist may also fit you with a brace to support your spine. You will have to wear this for several weeks. There may be opportunity to use he hydrotherapy pool during your inpatient stay.
Your wounds will be managed by the nursing staff — they will be dressed as needed. They will also provide you with the appropriate information for discharge.
What are the results?
Most patients have significant improvement in their symptoms after surgery. The operation itself may take several weeks to recover fully from, and thereafter a program of physiotherapy exercises is needed to retrain the spinal muscles and work on improving posture.
At follow-up appointments patients are carefully checked and the results audited. X-rays are taken to ensure the hardware position is satisfactory and that healing has occurred.
Because this is a relatively new system, with the first implants having been performed in the nineties, it is difficult to say what the long term outcome is going to be. The system and the techniques have, of course, been very extensively tested and the “long-term” clinical results are beginning to come through and look very promising. On-going studies will hopefully prove the value of this technique over the coming years.
Contact us if you have any questions
ATLANTA ORTHOPAEDIC INSTITUTE
678-413-7900