Does anyone know of a lumbar fusion done using Optimesh balloons?

[gwin]

Hi:

Sorry if I am being a bit redundant with this question, but I have been able to find very little information on lumbar fusions being done suing the Optimesh balloons instead of cages, etc. It was suggested to me as my best minimally invasive option for a fusion of L!, 2 and L2, 3 by one of the doctor's I have spoken with. He took part in a trial using this method starting a little over 2 years ago and said the results have been very good.

The fixation hardware remains the same as with other methods, the the Optimesh balloons are used to as a container for the cadaver bone mixture and to restore disk height. Again, I believe the advantage stated with this method was that it was less invasive that using a cage. In one conversation I have with a doctor from India, he also stated that the "cage" hardware is dated, and that he used another "newer" method that I could not clearly understand due to a bad connection.

Another question I have for the group is anyone's experience with posterior decompression on up to 4 levels (L1 - L5) for moderate to severe central canal and bilateral foraminal stenosis and what sort of outcomes people have had.

Thanks!

[Jack-of-all-trades]

The surgeon who did my fusion used my own bone. He used screws into the vertebral body where the facet joints are located. He removed the facet joints (you don't need them with fusion) ground them up and put them in the disc space. Of course he removed the old disc tissue first and manipulated the vetebra to the proper position.

[gwin]

The surgeon who did my fusion used my own bone. He used screws into the vertebral body where the facet joints are located. He removed the facet joints (you don't need them with fusion) ground them up and put them in the disc space. Of course he removed the old disc tissue first and manipulated the vetebra to the proper position.

Hi Jack:

Thanks for the info. The method you describe is the method that has been suggested to me by the majority of doctors consulted. Some have claimed bone taken from the spine is not as good as that from the hip, and have recommended that method for the fusions. Being that my facets are in bad shape eliminates the option of disk replacement, at least in the opinion of all consulted so far. I am still waiting for an opinion from Stenum. The Optimesh method seems to make sense, but so far I have not had any direct feedback from anyone who had this material used in their lumbar fusion. The doctor I consulted has only done about 15 fusions using this material, so I am seeking all the information about this I can find. Thanks!

[Jack-of-all-trades]

I would try to stear away from bone harvested from your hip. Some complain that the donor site hurts worse that the fusion surgery. Some also complained about pain from the donor site for months. I was second assist on one of these once when worked as a PA for a surgeon My doc was a thoracic and vascular surgeon who didn't need me right then so I got farmed out. The take the bone from the hip with a 1" to 1 1/2" chisel like you might find at Ace Hardware and a hammer.

Check to and see if what the do requires extra blood. This might require some sole searching in this day and age. Ask if they use a cell saver. That way you can get your own blood back .

[gwin]

I would try to stear away from bone harvested from your hip. Some complain that the donor site hurts worse that the fusion surgery. Some also complained about pain from the donor site for months. I was second assist on one of these once when worked as a PA for a surgeon My doc was a thoracic and vascular surgeon who didn't need me right then so I got farmed out. The take the bone from the hip with a 1" to 1 1/2" chisel like you might find at Ace Hardware and a hammer.

Check to and see if what the do requires extra blood. This might require some sole searching in this day and age. Ask if they use a cell saver. That way you can get your own blood back .

Good points. I have too been warned, by doctors, that taking bone from the hip can be as painful or worse than the fusion. The flip side of that is all seems most agree that your own hip bone is actually the best quality medium to use for a fusion, at least that is what I have been told.

[Mastermind75]

For my fusion my doctors are taking bones cells via a needle, the process is called aspiration I believe. Chunks of a hip? That seems like years ago work to me.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Something doesn't sound right. Bone doesn't aspirate (suck up through a needle or some utensil). I would check on the history of such a procedure, especially the success rate, advantages, complications, experience of the surgeon, etc.

[Mastermind75]

It's bone cells. The process is used with a PEEK Cage. Higher success rates with fusions.

[Jack-of-all-trades]

OK, that makes sense. I'd like to learn about how they get the cells. Do you know the official name for the procedure or a link to a site? I found out about the PEEK cage but not the procedure for bone harvest. http://www.medcompare.com/spotlight.asp?spotlightid=128

[gwin]

Hi Jack:

The surgeon I talked to uses BMP (treated cadaver) for the bone material used in the balloons for fusion.

Gwin

OK, that makes sense. I'd like to learn about how they get the cells. Do you know the official name for the procedure or a link to a site? I found out about the PEEK cage but not the procedure for bone harvest. PEEK Becoming an Alternative to Titanium in Spinal Fusion Cages - Orthopedics Technology Spotlight - Medcompare