InSpan's L5-S1 Study Shows Efficacy for Degenerative Disc Disease and Stenosis, Featured in Top Spine Journal
Dr. Kingsley R Chin MBA, Dr. Jason A. Seale MBA, Dr. Erik Spayde, Dr. William M. Costigan, Nishant Gohel MS, Daniel Aloise MS and Vito Lore P.E.
InSpan IFD used as as a stand-alone treatment for interspinous-interlaminar fixation at L5-S1 in patients with spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease
InSpan unveils a groundbreaking Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) technique, proven effective in a 5-year study by leading author spine surgeon and professor, Dr. Kingsley R. Chin. This study, published in a peer-reviewed article, validates InSpan's interspinous fixation device as a stand-alone treatment for spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease at L5-S1. This marks a significant advancement in outpatient spinal surgery.
InSpan, a medical device company trailblazer in innovative outpatient spinal surgery solutions, proudly unveils a revolutionary Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) technique through a groundbreaking peer-reviewed scientific clinical article. The IRB-approved study, titled "Prospective 5-year follow-up of L5–S1 versus L4–5 midline decompression and interspinous-interlaminar fixation as a stand-alone treatment for spinal stenosis compared with laminectomies," is led by Board-certified Harvard-Trained Orthopedic Spine surgeon, professor Dr. Kingsley R Chin. This landmark research proves the efficacy of InSpan as a stand-alone interspinous fixation device (IFD) at L5-S1 for treating degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis, offering a groundbreaking Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) technique and technology.
Background:
The treatment landscape for spinal stenosis involves laminectomies with or without fusion or interspinous distraction with or without fixation. The lack of published data on interspinous fixation devices (IFD) at L5–S1 has led to less consideration due to anatomical challenges and higher stresses. InSpan aims to challenge this notion, providing a viable alternative to laminectomies.
Study Objective:
Dr. Kingsley R Chin and his team conducted a prospective comparative cohort study looking at Visual Analog Scores (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), complications, and revision rates on 100 consecutive patients treated with midline decompression and InSpan IFD at L5–S1 and L4–5. The study, spanning over five years, compared outcomes with historical data on open laminectomies.
Key Findings:
Among the 100 patients, those treated at L5–S1 and L4–5 with InSpan showed significant improvement in VAS pain scores (up to 80% improvement) and ODI scores (up to 66% improvement), with surgeries completed in less than one hour.
Postoperative VAS scores were significantly less for L4–5 versus L5–S1 (P<0.01).
Revision rates for InSpan were minimal, with one L4–5 revision (1.8%) and two L5–S1 revisions (4.4%).
“I’ve explored interspinous fixation devices, drawn to their benefits of reduced surgery time, fewer complications, minimal blood loss, and quicker recovery periods. InSpan offers robust fixation”
Conclusions:
Patients treated with midline decompression and InSpan IFD as a stand-alone treatment for interspinous fixation at L4–5 and L5–S1 showed improved outcome scores and low complication and revision rates at five years, comparable to historical open laminectomy data. InSpan emerges as a successful substitute for laminectomies in selected patients, marking a significant advancement in outpatient orthopedic spine surgery. "I've explored interspinous fixation devices, drawn to their benefits of reduced surgery time, fewer complications, minimal blood loss, and quicker recovery periods. InSpan offers robust fixation," stated Dr. William Costigan, Chief of Spine Surgery and Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon
What's Next:
The study highlights the efficacy of InSpan in achieving successful long-term outcomes for spinal stenosis patients in an Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) setting. The LESS technique with InSpan proves to be a successful substitute for laminectomies, offering improved patient outcomes and low complication rates. "I have incorporated InSpan in my outpatient spine surgeries to add more indirect decompression and provide stability for patients I might have previously only done a direct decompression on or chosen to do full laminectomies" Dr Erik Spayde, Chief of Spine Surgery at a major California Hospital and Harvard-trained board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon.
About InSpan
InSpan LLC, a trailblazer in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery, is proud to be independently owned by innovation leaders NANISX and KIC Ventures. Our company is at the forefront of outpatient spine surgery, driving advancements with proprietary interspinous fixation technology — a cornerstone in the movement, embracing the principles of Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS ™), to reduce the amount of pedicle screws and their risks. The InSpan device boasts 10+ patents and over a decade-long track record with thousands successfully implanted since receiving FDA approval in 2010.
About NANISX
NANISX LLC, a leader in outpatient spine surgery medical device innovation, operates under the pioneering KIC Ventures umbrella, a healthtech holding entity renowned for over two decades of strategic investments in cutting-edge spine surgery advancements. NANISX expertly harnesses advanced technologies and revolutionary techniques synonymous with Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS ™). Our commitment is to deliver superior, minimally invasive surgical solutions that set new benchmarks in patient care and surgical excellence. As a key player in the industry, NANISX’s expertise in LESS technologies represents the future of spinal treatments, offering safer options with less recovery time for patients worldwide.
About KIC Ventures
KIC Ventures LLC is an independently owned healthtech investment holding company focused on innovative spinal technologies. Founded by a visionary spine surgeon and graduate of Harvard Medical and Business Schools, who has been a trailblazer in healthcare spinal technology investment since 2000. With transformative successes, notably a 100x return on our inaugural venture acquired by Stryker, our portfolio is positioned for near-term exits. We have generated $300+ million in total revenues and raised $25 million in investments from individuals globally, including significant contributions from fellow physicians. NANISX is a leader in outpatient spine technologies and is revenue generating and profitable. AxioMed is awaiting FDA approval for its viscoelastic lumbar disc, targeting a 2024 USA release. We are impassioned to empower physicians and patients to invest with us, encouraging them to become owners and contributors to a legacy of pioneering solutions in outpatient spine surgery.