02.09.15
X-Stop minimally invasive surgery and minimally invasive decompression alleviate lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms, but both techniques carry specific risks, according to study data.
Norwegian researchers enrolled 96 patients with symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication within 250-m walking distance and one- or two-level lumbar spinal stenosis. Forty-one patients underwent minimally invasive decompression (MID) and 40 underwent X-Stop (Medtronic plc); 15 patients were lost to follow-up.
The researchers used the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) as the primary outcome measure for the study, whereas secondary outcomes were Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire, numerical rating scale 11 for lower back and leg pain, and risk for secondary surgery and complications. The observation period lasted two years.
Results showed no statistically significant difference in ZCQ scores between the two groups. Both groups had statistically and clinically significant improvements at six weeks and throughout the observation period, according to the data.
Ten patients (25 percent) in the X-Stop group underwent reoperation for persistent or recurrent symptoms, compared with only two patients (4.9 percent) in the MID group. However, although complication rates were low and similar between the groups, patients in the MID group were found to have more severe complications, the study concluded.
Norwegian researchers enrolled 96 patients with symptoms of neurogenic intermittent claudication within 250-m walking distance and one- or two-level lumbar spinal stenosis. Forty-one patients underwent minimally invasive decompression (MID) and 40 underwent X-Stop (Medtronic plc); 15 patients were lost to follow-up.
The researchers used the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) as the primary outcome measure for the study, whereas secondary outcomes were Oswestry Disability Index, EuroQol 5-dimensional questionnaire, numerical rating scale 11 for lower back and leg pain, and risk for secondary surgery and complications. The observation period lasted two years.
Results showed no statistically significant difference in ZCQ scores between the two groups. Both groups had statistically and clinically significant improvements at six weeks and throughout the observation period, according to the data.
Ten patients (25 percent) in the X-Stop group underwent reoperation for persistent or recurrent symptoms, compared with only two patients (4.9 percent) in the MID group. However, although complication rates were low and similar between the groups, patients in the MID group were found to have more severe complications, the study concluded.