Approximation Kit Closes Microdiscectomy Disc Defects

A novel tissue sparing approximation system minimizes residual defects during herniated disc repair and improves procedural outcomes.

The Anchor Orthopedics XT (Mississauga, Canada) AnchorKnot Tissue Approximation Kit is a set of surgical spinal devices that enable orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons to close tissue defects during minimally invasive microdiscectomy of herniated intervertebral discs in the lumbar spine, allowing surgical decompression with minimization of the annular incision and limiting the removal of tissue to include only the free fragments impinging on the nerve root. The kit is comprised of three sterile, single use devices: the Suture Passer, the Knot Pusher, and the Suture Cutter.

The Suture Passer is designed for passing a preloaded non-absorbable ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene surgical suture through soft tissue. The Knot Pusher is a hand-held grip device, with a stainless steel shaft and a slotted tip that is used to push the pre-tied knot down to the tissue level. The Suture Cutter is used to cut the suture once the knot is secured in place. The deployment mechanism of the AnchorKnot tissue approximation kit is designed for simplicity, despite the difficult to reach anatomical location; on average, about five minutes of usage are needed during the procedure.

“Microdiscectomy surgery allows a patient to return to a more healthy state, faster and with less pain; the AnchorKnot kit allows us to repair tissue defects with an elegant device,” said Nilesh Patel, MD, of Michigan Spine Clinic (Brownstown, USA). “This technology represents the next evolution in minimally invasive herniated disc repair. We are always looking to reduce the size of the tissue defect and we see it as a critical step towards our goal of and improving procedure outcomes.”

A lumbar disc herniation is a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc that allows part of, or the entire, soft central portion to be forced out from between two vertebrae, causing back pain, and can also push on nerve roots causing pain, numbness and tingling, as well as weakness in one or both legs. Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation affects 1-2% of the population at some point in their lives, usually between 30-40 years of age, and is one of the most common and debilitating conditions of the spine.

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