Reader Questions:
Review Process for Interspinous Distraction Device Insertion
Published on Fri Aug 27, 2010
Question: Please advise me on how to report the following procedure: Preoperative diagnosis: Severe stenosis at L3-4. Postoperative diagnosis: Severe stenosis at L3-4. Procedure performed: Placed an interspinous distraction device at L3-4. Indications: This patient had neurogenic claudication relieved with flexion. Description of procedure: An incision was made centered over the L3-4 disk space. A localizing x-ray was obtained. We carried the incision down through the fascia and then put in a self-retaining retractor. We then found the interspinous ligament and put a couple dilators through that, measured for a distraction device of 12, put in the interspinous distraction device. After putting in a 12 trial then put over the distraction device, the plates to compress on to the spinous processes. This had good fit. We then used the locking device to lock the device in. We then thoroughly irrigated the wound, closed the wound in layers with 0 Vicryl, [...]