Surgical management of degenerative lumbar spine disorders using Spine semi-rigid (DYNESYS) stabilization system - A study on 25 cases

Author(s): Ganesh Babu Natarajan, Manish Desai, Muralikuttan

Abstract: 25 adult patients (Male 10: female 15) operated at spinal unit at District General Hospital using Dynesys System, between 2004 and 2005. All the cases were operated by one consultant surgeon. Mean age of the study group was 52 yrs. (range 24 – 70 yrs.). Clinical evaluation was based on pre & post operative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) at fixed interval at 6 weeks, 6 months, 1yr, 2yrs, 5 yrs. and 10yrs. The final ODI score reduced from preoperative 54 to 29 at end of 10 years of post operative follow up. The improvement pattern for ODI score was observed at different interval, which follows a descending (gradual improvement) pattern as 43.0, 38, 32.5 and 29 at 6 wks, 6 months, 1 yr, and 2 yrs, respectively that represents an improvement of 20%, 29%, 40% and 46% and there were no further change in ODI score after 2 to 10yrs of follow up. With regard to complications, we would like to report total 4 (16%) cases, 2 superficial infections, 1 seroma, and 1 case due to technical error (wrong position of S1 screw). Dynesys can be considered as an effective option to rigid stabilization systems, in terms of patient based clinical outcome, and avoidance of complications of rigid system like, screw loosening, fractures of vertebral body, back pain because of loss of lumbar lordosis, morbidity related to bone grafting.