MDNews - Long Island

spinal canal. Traditionally, neurosurgeons corrected the condition by performing a laminectomy to expand the spinal canal. Dr. Sonstein provides a less invasive treat- ment to free nerves from an impinging spinal cord and relieve leg pain and cramp- ing secondary to lumbar spinal stenosis. Laminectomy requires removal of the posterior aspect of the affected vertebrae to expose the spinal canal and reduce pressure on the nerves or spinal cord. Following the procedure, patients can only perform limited activities for several weeks and often participate in physical rehabilitation regimens as part of the recovery process. The X-STOP Interspinous Process Decompression System is a titanium implant placed between the lumbar spine's posterior spinous processes. Through a minimally invasive procedure, Dr. Sonstein places the X-STOP in one or two levels of the affected vertebrae. "This procedure means patients go through less surgery, and it results in virtually no complications because you don't have to enter the spinal canal," Dr. Sonstein says. "It's an easy proce- dure and the device takes little time to place, so it's excellent for elderly Dr. Sonstein performs a laminectomy in the OR. The Misonix SonaStar Ultrasonic Aspiration System effectively emulsifies or "melts" bone during laminectomy or discectomy for stenosis. This preserves soft tissue such as spinal membrane, reducing the possibility of complications, such as spinal fluid leakage. patients. It translates to less trauma for the same results as a laminectomy." Dr. Sonstein underscores the fact that the procedure addresses the physiological condition that makes stenotic symptoms unbearable for most people. "The X-STOP distracts and causes a slight flexion in the spine," he says. "Stenosis causes pain when people walk and improves when they sit. This is because they flex their spine when they sit and extend themselves when they walk. The X-STOP relieves pain by providing flexion." Patients who have moderately impaired function and have exhibited relief during flexion are indicated for treatment with X-STOP after completing a six-month regimen of conservative treatment. Fusing Failed Backs Patients who suffer from ongoing back pain may require surgery to repair spinal instability by fusing vertebrae into a single bone. A number of conditions, including degenerative disc disease, infection, spinal fracture, spinal steno- sis, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis or a tumor, can cause symptoms that spinal fusion can correct. Dr. Sonstein confirms the underlying cause of back pain with MRI or CT scans. Dr. Sonstein performs a posterior lum- bar interbody fusion (PLIF) to induce the body's biologic response to heal broken bones. The PLIF procedure promotes bone growth between unstable vertebrae, which reinforces the spinal structure and limits the motion at that segment. The Medtronic Aquamantys System utilizes Transcollation technology that combines radiofrequency energy and saline to stop bleeding quickly by shrinking blood vessels. This helps minimize blood loss and reduce transfusion rates during spine surgery. M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Long Island | 9

• Cover