Abstract

BACKGROUND : Interspinous Process Distraction Devices are designed for patients with symptomatic spinal stenosis .Many patients have stenosis in three or more level. AIM: To assess the clinical outcome of patients with symptomatic multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis after ISPD implantation. METHOD: Twenty five patients were enrolled and surgically treated with three level ISPD implantation. The device was implanted at the three more stenotic segments, which was L5-S1 48%, L4-L5 92%, L3-L4 88%, L2-L3 84 %, L1-L2 8%. .Mean hospital stay was 1,3 days. The clinical outcome was evaluated with use of a clinical questionnaire at 3 , 6 and 12 months p-op. RESULTS: 76% of the patients were satisfied with the procedure, 72% reported clinically significant improvement in their symptoms and 58% reported clinically significant improvement in physical function. We had no complications. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that ISPD offers significant short-term improvement in treatment of multilevel degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. ISPD can be used safely in three levels.