Dr. Mark Giovanini recently successfully performed his first coflex® Interlaminar Stabilization™ procedures at Cornerstone Surgicare. In all three cases, the surgery was performed and the patients were discharged the same day.
Dr. Giovanini is offering the coflex procedure as an alternative to traditional lumbar fusion surgery. In the procedure, the doctor uses a coflex device, a titanium metal implant that helps keep the spine stable after decompression surgery.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012, the coflex device is strong and flexible enough to support the spine without bones needing to be fused together. It can lead to faster recovery and better results for some patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.
The procedure has several advantages over traditional lumbar fusion surgery, in which bones are fused together. For instance, in a clinical study comparing fusion patients with those receiving the coflex devices, researchers found that the coflex patients had:
- Faster symptom relief. 90% had relief of their spinal stenosis symptoms within 6 weeks of surgery compared with 77% for fusion.
- More lasting symptom relief. 88% had relief two years after surgery compared with 78% for fusion.
- Greater patient satisfaction. 94% of patients were satisfied after 2 years compared with 87% for fusion surgery.
- Shorter surgery time and hospital stays. Operations using coflex were performed 36% faster than fusion surgeries, and coflex patients spent 40% less time in the hospital.
- More natural movement. Two years after the procedure, coflex patients still had a range of motion within 15% of what they had pre-surgery in the areas above and below the treatment area. Fusion patients had a 25%-50% increase in unnatural motion in those areas.
To find out if the coflex procedure is a good option for you or to find out more about minimally invasive spine surgery options, please call (850) 934-7545 or click here to request an appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.