Feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a new percutaneous interspinous device: a retrospective multicenter study

To evaluate safety and efficacy of the novel percutaneous interspinous device (PID) for the treatment of symptomatic degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) in 3 different centers.

From November 2016 to March 2020, 255 patients (male 125, mean age 71.2 years old range 49–91 years old) with neurogenic claudication, confirmed by electromyography, related to mono or bi-segmental lumbar central canal and/or foraminal stenosis were enrolled in the study. Magnetic resonance (MR) and/or computer tomography (CT), physical exam, and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) were performed before and 6 months after the procedure. All treatments were performed under fluoroscopic guidance with local anesthesia and mild sedation. Technical success was defined as correct placement of the Lobster® (Demetrios Medical, Firenze, Italy) PID as demonstrated by computer tomography (CT) performed immediately after treatment; spinoplasty was performed in selected patients.

PID placement was accomplished with a 99.6% success rate (257/258). The one device that was not implanted was due to a spinous process fracture. In 28 patients, more than 1 device was implanted in the same session (max 3 PIDs); 6 patients required a second implant in different session. A total of 172 prophylactic spinoplasties were performed (59.3%). No major complications occurred; 3 device misplacements were successfully treated with percutaneous retrieval and new device deployment. 99.6% of patients experienced clinical improvement.

Lobster PID is an effective and safe minimally invasive decompression method for central canal and neural foraminal stenosis when patients are correctly selected.