Method and apparatus for performing spinal procedures

• Main Author: ROBERT W. GAINES JR
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.06.2002
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: DIAGNOSIS; HUMAN NECESSITIES; HYGIENE; IDENTIFICATION; MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; SURGERY

A method of performing a surgical spinal fusion procedure to correct an abnormal spinal curvature preferably involves the use of an improved surgical implant spinal staple that has a main body portion, a pair of apertures and a plurality of tine members for fastening and anchoring the staple to a vertebral body. Most advantageously, the spinal staple includes integral structure for permitting direct attachment of a retaining rod, which lowers the profile of the combined staple and attachment mechanism with respect to conventional systems. The spinal fusion procedure further preferably includes a step of sculpting the attachment areas of the vertebral bodies to create recessed areas into which the spinal staples will be positioned and secured. This creates an implant that essentially has no profile with respect to the surrounding areas of the vertebral bodies. The spinal fusion procedure preferably also is performed by completely removing a number of intervertebral discs and then repositioning the spine so as to achieve bone to bone contact between the affected vertebral bodies, which limits interference with adjacent normal tissue following healing. The sum effect is to permit correction of scoliosis over about half the vertebrae fused by conventional techniques with reduced healing time after surgery.