Facet-Link
Facet-Link, Inc., Rockaway, New Jersey, United States.
FacetLINK matches the biomechanical performance of bilateral pedicle screws and rods 1), but can be placed through a much smaller exposure offering the possibility of reduced collateral tissue damage.
From a biomechanical point of view, facet screw fixation seems to provide equal stiffness during flexion-extension movements and lesser stiffness in axial rotation and lateral bending compared with pedicle screw fixation. However, the addition of the central cross-link in the Facet-Link System should theoretically increase the resistance to axial torque and ensure similar biomechanical features of the pedicle screw systems.
Video
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<script src=“https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js”></script> <p><a href=“https://vimeo.com/105186986”>Facetlink Mini & Hemi - HD</a> from <a href=“https://vimeo.com/ghostproductions”>Ghost Productions</a> on <a href=“https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a>.</p></html>
Trungu et al., from Rome and, Tricase, Italy reported a total of 25 patients between May 2015 and June 2016 affected by radiologically demonstrated one-level Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with facet joint degeneration and grade I spondylolisthesis in a prospective study. All the patients underwent laminectomy, foraminotomy, and one-level facet fixation (Facet-Link, Inc., Rockaway, New Jersey, United States). Pre- and postoperative clinical (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Short Form 36 [SF-36]) and radiologic (radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography) data were collected and analyzed.
Mean follow-up was 12 months. The L4-L5 level was involved in 18 patients (72%) and L5-S1 in 7 patients (28%); the average operative time was 80 minutes (range: 65-148 minutes), and the mean blood loss was 160 mL (range: 90-200 mL). ODI and SF-36 showed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvement at last follow-up.
Lumbar transfacet screw fixation is a safe and effective treatment option in patients with single-level LSS, facet joint degeneration, and mild instability 2).