ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (July 2016)

Updated July 5, 2016 (This supplements the ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (2014))

A PDF version of the policy statement is available here.

Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS

Neuro-Spine Solutions, Bristol, TN

 

Rationale

The index 2014 ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion was generated out of necessity to provide an ICD9-based background and emphasize tools to ensure correct diagnosis. A timely ICD10-based 2016 Update provides a granular threshold selection with improved level of evidence and a more robust, relevant database.

Introduction

The sacroiliac joints (SIJ) are diarthrodial articulations of the sacrum and ilium. The SIJ serves as the biomechanical mediator between the spine and pelvis. The subchondral bone, capsule, and surrounding ligaments of the SIJ are innervated by spinal nerves.1

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is likely responsible for chronic back pain in some patients; furthermore in some studies the prevalence is reported to be 15-30%.2–6 Convergence of the sensory pathway from the hip, the SIJ and the lumbar spine may result in overlap of pain patterns from dysfunction of these structures. As such, proper SIJ pain diagnosis is key to appropriate patient management. Patients with SIJ pain typically report pain in the buttock(s), with possible radiation into the groin or upper legs. Specific physical examination tests that stress the SIJ (e.g., distraction test, compression test, thigh thrust, FABER (Patrick’s) test, Gaenslen’s maneuver) are typically performed in the physician’s office; in combination, these tests are thought to be predictive of SIJ pain.7

The spectrum of pain and disability from SIJ dysfunction is wide. Patients may be affected mildly or may have substantial functional impairment (e.g., cannot sit or stand for more than five minutes, cannot perform normal activities of daily living (ADLs), cannot walk up or down stairs, may require a wheelchair). Patients with chronic SIJ dysfunction seeking surgical treatment have marked impairment of quality of life,8 similar to that observed in other conditions commonly treated surgically.9 Apart from ankylosing spondylitis, in which MRI can show edema consistent with inflammation, imaging of the SIJ typically does not provide valuable diagnostic information. In many cases, imaging can show non-specific findings in the SIJ.10Rather,imaging is used toensure thatthepatientdoes nothave alternativediagnoses thatcould mimic SIJ pain (e.g.,hip osteoarthritis,occasionally L5/S1spine degeneration).

The diagnosis of SIJ pain is confirmed by performing a fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous SIJ block with local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine). An acute reduction in typical pain indicates a positive test, suggesting that the injected joint is a pain generator. A study of patients undergoing blinded injection of saline or local anesthetic showed markedly high responses to the latter, validating the test.11 Because other pathologic processes can coexist with SIJ pain, physicians should discuss with patients the degree to which treatment of the SIJ may relieve overall pain and disability without addressing other pain generators.

Occasionally, bilateral SIJ pain can occur. Diagnosis of bilateral SIJ pain should be made on the basis of typical history (bilateral symptoms), physical examination showing positive responses to SIJ-stressing maneuvers bilaterally, and bilateral acute pain relief upon bilateral, fluoroscopy-guided SIJ block.

While a marked response to SIJ block might be predicted to reassure the physician that treatment will produce larger responses to anatomic-based treatment, published data suggest little, if any, relationship. In two large prospective clinical trials of SIJ fusion, patients with suspected SIJ pain were included only if intraarticular SIJ block resulted in a 50% or greater amount of acute pain relief within 60 minutes after the block. The degree of improvement at 6 and 12 months after SIJ fusion was unrelated to the degree of acute pain relief during the block.12 In a retrospective analysis of predictors of outcome success after RF ablation of lateral branches of the sacral nerve roots in patients with SIJ pain, no relationship was observed between response to lateral branch block or SIJ anesthesia and response to RF ablation.13 Randomized trials of RF ablation of lateral branches of the sacral nerve roots excluded patients with <75% pain reduction after lateral branch block (one block in Cohen et al14 and two blocks in Patel et al15), leaving open the question of whether the selected threshold was appropriate.

Multiple non-surgical treatments for SIJ pain are available, including pain medications (e.g., non-steroid anti-inflammatory agents), physical therapy, steroid injections into the SIJ, and radiofrequency ablation of the sacral nerves and SIJ fusion. While pain medications may relieve temporarily pain and/or disability, they have not been shown to impact the underlying disease process, and opioid addiction remains an important public health concern. Apart from a single clinical trial in post-partum pelvic pain (probably related to the SIJ),16 the effectiveness of physical therapy for chronic SIJ dysfunction has not been demonstrated. Two randomized trials have shown that RF ablation of lateral branches of sacral nerve roots can temporarily reduce SIJ pain.14,15 One-year follow-up from one RF ablation randomized trial showed modest pain reduction.17 Responses in the non-surgical arms of two prospective randomized trials showed little, if any, improvement at 6 months.18,19 Given the absence of published outcomes data supporting long-term pain relief from non-surgical treatment, patients with a diagnosis of SIJ pain who experience pain for a minimum of six months and who do not respond to an adequate course of non-surgical treatment may be considered for SIJ fusion.

Coverage Rationale for Open and Minimally Invasive SIJ Fusion

Open fusion of the SIJ, first reported in the early 1900s,20 can provide pain relief but recovery times are long and complication rates are high,21–25 intraoperative times, bleeding and hospital length of stay are more prominent compared to minimally invasive SIJ fusion,26 and recovery times are long and may require prolonged postoperative rehabilitation. Therefore, open fusion of the SIJ is best performed on patients who are not candidates for minimally invasive SIJ fusion.

Minimally invasive fusion of the SIJ has been performed with several types of implants, including triangular, porous, titanium coated implants,19,27–33 hollow modular screws,34–36 titanium cages,37,38 and allograft dowels21 (Table 2). Minimally invasive fusion aims to permanently stabilize the SIJ but avoid the morbidity of the open procedure.

Two surgical approaches are commonly used for minimally invasive SIJ fusion:

Published Literature

 Published outcomes data for minimally invasive SIJ fusion using a posterior approach are scarce. One cohort reported marginal response to use of cages placed into the SIJ through a posterior approach.38 For the lateral approach, 3 retrospective case series (describing two cohorts) using hollow modular anchor (HMA) screws suggest reasonable 2- and 3-year outcomes.35,36 HMA screws are not FDA-cleared for SIJ fusion.and are not available for use in the U.S. The remaining published literature on SIJ fusion through a lateral approach used triangular titanium implants (iFuse Implant System, SI-BONE, Inc.). This literature includes:

Taken together, these studies provide substantial evidence that minimally invasive SIJ fusion with triangular titanium implants improves pain, function and quality of life. In both randomized trials, pain relief, disability reduction and improvement in quality of life were markedly higher in SIJ fusion subjects compared to non-surgically treated subjects. Specifically, in the SIJ fusion group of the US randomized trial,19 mean SIJ pain improved from 82.3 at baseline to 30.4 at the 6-month follow-up (52.0-point improvement, p<.0001) and 28.3 at the 12-month follow-up (54.2-point improvement, p<.0001). Mean changes in the non-surgical group were not clinically significant (mean 12 points). Similarly, in the SIJ fusion group, mean ODI decreased from 57.2 at baseline to 29.9 at month 6 and 28.1 at month 12 (improvements of 27.4 and 29.3 points, respectively). In contrast, mean ODI decreased by only 4.6 points in the non-surgical group. In the European randomized trial,18 Mean pain scores improved in the SIJ fusion group from 77.7 at baseline to 34.4 at 6 months (a 43.3 point improvement p<.0001) vs. 73.0 to 67.8 (an improvement of 5.7 points, p=.1105) in the non-surgical group. ODI improved by 20 points more in the surgical vs. non-surgical groups 9p<.0001). EQ-5D time trade-off index also improved more in the surgical vs. non-surgical group.

In a multicenter retrospective review of 263 patients undergoing either open or minimally invasive SIJ fusion with triangular titanium implants, minimally invasive SIJ fusion was associated with statistically significant and clinically marked decreases in operating room time (mean 163 minutes for open vs. 70 minutes for minimally invasive), decreased blood loss (mean 288 cc vs. 33 cc), and decreased length of stay (5.1 vs. 1.3 days) as well as improved relief of pain at 1 (-2.7 points on 0-10 scale vs. -6.2 points) and 2-year (-2.0 vs. -5.6 points) follow-up (all differences are statistically significant.).26 Finally, two published studies report that favorable outcomes achieved at one year are sustained long term (up to 5 years).30,33

The complication rate for minimally invasive SIJ fusion with triangular titanium implants is low.50 Revision rates over 4 years (3.5%47) are substantially lower than after lumbar fusion surgery, and revision rates in long-term retrospective30,33 and prospective studies19,31 have confirmed this low rate. Revisions can be required in the immediate postoperative period or after many months. Early revisions may include the need to reposition an implant that is impinging on a sacral nerve or removal of an implant due to infection. Revision rates with other products are unknown. Screw-based devices rely upon different fusion strategies (HA coating, fenestrations within the screws, etc.) with different biomechanics (threaded screws vs. triangular implants that are impacted across the SI joint). Regardless of implant, salvage revision remains challenging.

Bilateral Procedures

In cases of bilateral SIJ pain, bilateral SIJ fusion may occasionally be indicated and is usually performed serially to minimize the impact on rehabilitation (i.e., patients who undergo simultaneous bilateral fusion procedures may be wheelchair or bedbound for several weeks, possible slowing overall recovery).

Indications/Limitations of Coverage

Patients who have all of the following criteria may be eligible for minimally invasive SIJ fusion:

Minimally invasive SIJ fusion is NOT indicated for patients with the following:

Bilateral SIJ pain is not uncommon. Diagnosis of bilateral SIJ pain must be made on the basis of a history of bilateral pain, bilateral elicitation of pain on physical examination maneuvers that stress each SIJ, and acute bilateral decrease in pain upon fluoroscopically-guided intra-articular SIJ block with local anesthetic. Bilateral SIJ fusion is probably best performed serially as successful treatment of one side may improve pain/disability to a degree acceptable by the patient. SIJ fusion of the contralateral side may be necessary if contralateral SIJ pain continues and disability is significant for the patient. If bilateral fusion is performed at the same operative session, the surgeon must document both medical necessity and why serial fusion is not indicated in the patient.

It is expected that a person would not undergo more than one SIJ fusion per side per lifetime except in the rare case that a revision is needed.

Coding

The American Medical Association recommends minimally invasive SIJ fusion be coded using CPT code 27279. Revision and/or removal of the SIJ implant would typically be coded using 22899 (unlisted procedure, spine) or 27299 (unlisted procedure, pelvis or hip joint) depending on the type of approach and procedure performed, whether within the global period of the fusion, or not.

Table 1. ICD-10-CM Diagnosis
 

ICD-10-CM

 

Diagnosis Code

 

 

Code Descriptor

M46.1 Sacroiliitis, not elsewhere classified
M53.2×8 Spinal instabilities, sacral and sacrococcygeal region
M53.3 Disorders of sacrum
S33.2xxA Dislocation of sacroiliac and sacrococcygeal joint
S33.6xxA Sprain of sacroiliac joint
099.89 Other specified diseases and conditions complicating pregnancy,

childbirth and the puerperium

094 Sequelae of complication of pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium

 

Documentation Requirements

 

Surgeon Qualifications

 

Coverage/Conclusion

The utilization of minimally invasive surgical approach for SIJ fusion has become a recognized safe, predictable and preferred surgical method for the management of intractable, debilitating primary or secondary SIJ pain disorders.57

The ISASS policy does not endorse any specific MIS SIJ System.  There are numerous devices available that have received FDA 510 (k) clearance for use in minimally invasive/percutaneous sacroiliac joint fusion stabilization.  The instrumentation utilized in a MIS SIJ procedure is the purview of surgeon preference.58

 Table 2. Published literature on minimally invasive SIJ fusion.

Inclusion criteria: indexed in PubMed, English language, fusion of the SIJ described as minimally invasive or percutaneous, and clinical outcomes available. Single patient case reports, imaging studies, and technique reports with no clinical outcomes are excluded. When multiple reports of the same cohort were published, only the most recent (longest follow-up) publication is summarized.

 

Author, Year Study design N Implant Technique Demographics

 

Mean (±SD) or (range), unless otherwise specified

Results

 

Mean (±SD) or (range) unless otherwise specified

Complications (n)
Sturesson 201618 Prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial

 

(Only surgical arm reported herein)

 

(iMIA, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01741025)

52 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 49.4 (27–70) years

 

Sex: 38F/14M

 

Prior lumbar

fusion: 34.6%

 

Follow-up: 6mo

LBP VAS: 77.7 pre-op, 34.4 at 6mo for an improvement of 43.3 (25.0)

 

ODI: 56.6 pre-op; improvement of 25.5 at 6mo

 

90% very or somewhat satisfied

 

80% would definitely have the surgery again

 

Surgical time:

54 (19-107) min

 

Fluoroscopy time: 2.1 (1.0-4.0) min

 

Hospital stay: 3 (range 1-28) days

 

Within 180 days: 10 AEs in 9 subjects (0.19 events per subject), 8 severe AEs: device-related (0), procedure-related (2, both resolved).

 

Device- and procedure-related events: postop radicular pain resulting from implant protrusion into foramen (1, resolved), postop hematomas (2, resolved).

 

No subject has undergone late revision of implants.

Polly 201519

 

(prior pubs from same cohort/trial: Whang 2015 – 6mo results51)

Prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial

 

(Only surgical arm reported herein)

 

(INSITE, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01681004)

102 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 50.2 (26-72) years

 

Sex: 75F/27M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 39%

 

Follow-up: 12mo

VAS: 82.3 (11.9) pre-op, 28.3 (29.3) at 12mo

 

ODI: 57.2 (12.8) pre-op, 28.1 (20.8) at 12mo

 

Surgical time: 44.9 (22.3) min

 

Fluoroscopy time: 2.5 (3.6) min

 

EBL: 32.7 (32.8) mL

 

Hospital stay: 0.8 (range 0-7) days

Procedure-related adverse events within the first 6mo (180 days):

neuropathic symptoms (2), postoperative medical problems (4: urinary retention, nausea/vomiting, atrial fibrillation), SIJ pain or trochanteric bursitis (4), surgical wound problems (4), iliac fracture (1), asymptomatic physical examination

finding (1)

 

35 of

44

 

(NSM patients that crossed over after

6mo visit)

iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 53.0 (11.5) years

 

Sex: 20F/15M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 39%

 

Follow-up: 6mo post-fusion

 

VAS: 83.9 pre- op, 35.8 at

6mo post MIS SIJ fusion

 

ODI: 58.3 pre- op, 30.2 at

6mo post MIS

SIJ fusion

Duhon 201631

 

(Prior pubs from same cohort/trial: Duhon 2015 – 12mo results52, Duhon 2013 – 6mo interim results53)

Prospective, multicenter

 

(SIFI, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01640353)

172 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 50.9 (24-72) years

 

Sex: 120F/52M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 44%

 

Follow-up: 24mo

VAS SI joint pain: 79.8 (12.8) pre-op, 30.4 (27.6) at 12mo, 26.0 (26.7) at 24mo

 

ODI: 55.2 (11.5) pre-op, 31.5 (19.2) at 12mo, 30.9 (20.5) at 24mo

 

SF-36 PCS: 31.7 (5.6) pre-op, 40.5 (9.6) at 12mo, 40.7 (10.3) at 24mo

 

SF-36 MCS: 38.5 (11.3) pre-op, 48.2 (12.3) at 12mo, 49.0 (11.5) at 24mo

 

EQ-5D TTO: 0.43 (0.18) pre-op, 0.71 (0.20) at 12mo, 0.71 (0.22) at 24mo

 

Surgical time: 46.6 (16.1) min

 

Fluoroscopy time: 2.7 (1.8) min

 

EBL: 51.0 (75.8) mL

 

Hospital stay: median 1 (range 0-7) day

 

Device-related:

Neuropathic pain related to device malposition (3), SI joint or buttock pain (2), SI joint pain after fall associated with inadequate device placement (1), Hip pain related to periosteal bone growth around implant (1)

 

Procedure-related:

Wound drainage/irritation/infection (6), SI joint pain (5), SI joint pain (inadequate stabilization) (3), implant impingement (3), nausea/vomiting (3), buttock pain (2), foot weakness related to anesthesia (1), urinary retention (1), vascular injury (1), wound numbness (1)

Capobianco 201554 Prospective, multicenter

 

(SIFI, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01640353)

 

Subsets

20

 

(Females with PPGP)

iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 43.3 (9.0) years

 

Sex: 20F

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 30%

 

Follow-up: 12mo

 

VAS SI joint pain: 81.9 (10.0) pre-op, 21.3 (17.6) at 6mo, 31.4 (30.9) at 12mo

 

ODI: 52.2 (12.7) pre-op, 30.4 (20.0) at 6mo, 32.8 (21.4) at 12mo

 

SF-36 PCS: 32.0 (5.6) pre-op, 40.0 (11.1) at 6mo, 41.6 (10.8) at 12mo

 

SF-36 MCS: 42.2 (12.4) pre-op, 49.7 (9.6) at 6mo, 49.0 (10.8) at 12mo

 

EQ-5D TTO: 0.42 (0.14) pre-op, 0.72 (0.23) at 6mo, 0.72 (0.21) at 12mo

 

100% very or somewhat satisfied

37 total adverse events (1.8 event rate per subject)

 

4 device/procedure-related: wound infection (2), numbness around wound (1), fall causing SI joint pain (1)

100

 

(Females with No PPGP)

iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 52.5 (11.1) years

 

Sex: 100F

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 42.2%

 

Follow-up: 12mo

 

VAS SI joint pain: 79.9 (13.3) pre-op, 31.5 (27.0) at 6mo, 32.7 (28.5) at 12mo

 

ODI: 55.0 (11.2) pre-op, 31.0 (18.7) at 6mo, 30.8 (19.1) at 12mo

 

SF-36 PCS: 31.1 (5.6) pre-op, 40.5 (9.2) at 6mo, 40.0 (9.6) at 12mo

 

SF-36 MCS: 37.7 (11.6) pre-op, 48.8 (10.8) at 6mo, 47.7 (12.9) at 12mo

 

EQ-5D TTO: 0.43 (0.18) pre-op, 0.70 (0.19) at 6mo, 0.70 (0.20) at 12mo

 

84% very or somewhat satisfied

158 total adverse events (1.6 event rate per subject)

 

10 device/procedure-related: buttock pain (2), post-op neuropathy (1), post-op nausea/vomiting (3), intraop hemorrhage (1), neuropathy after contralateral SIJ fusion revision (1), urinary retention (1), would drainage (1)

 

52

 

(Men)

iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 50.7 (11.4) years

 

Sex: 52M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 51.6%

 

Follow-up: 12mo

 

VAS SI joint pain: 78.9 (12.9) pre-op, 30.2 (28.0) at 6mo, 25.0 (24.0) at 12mo

 

ODI: 56.7 (11.5) pre-op, 36.4 (21.4) at 6mo, 31.9 (18.9) at 12mo

 

SF-36 PCS: 32.7 (5.5) pre-op, 39.8 (10.1) at 6mo, 40.5 (8.9) at 12mo

 

SF-36 MCS: 38.6 (10.3) pre-op, 45.1 (13.2) at 6mo, 48.0 (12.1) at 12mo

 

EQ-5D TTO: 0.45 (0.19) pre-op, 0.64 (0.25) at 6mo, 0.72 (0.19) at 12mo

 

91.3% very or somewhat satisfied

 

88 total adverse events (1.7 event rate per subject)

 

7 device/procedure-related: wound infection (2), buttock pain (1), post-op neuropathy (1), SI joint pain (2), staple irritation (1)

 

Vanaclocha 201430 Single center case series 24 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 47.4 (32-

71) years

 

Sex: 15F/9M Prior lumbar fusion: 2

 

Follow-up: 23 mo (1-4.5 years)

VAS: 8.7 pre-op, 1.7 at 1yr, 2.1 at 4.5yrs

 

ODI: 54.1 pre- op, 14.3 at 1yr, 16.3 at 4.5yrs

 

Surgical time: 48 (range 40-65) min

 

EBL: 58 (range 40-70) mL

 

Immediate post-op pain (4-resolved), temporary post-op radicular pain (2)
Rudolf 201433 Single center case series 17 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 58 (36-85) years

 

Sex: 13F/4M Prior lumbar fusion: 8 (47%)

 

Follow-up: 60 mo

 

Bridging bone: 87% (13/15)

 

VAS: 8.3 (1.4) pre-op, 3.4 (2.4) at 1yr, 1.4 (2.6) at 2yrs, 2.4 (2.2) at 5yrs

 

ODI: 21.5 (22.7) at 5yrs

 

Surgical time: 65 (18) min

No intraoperative complications, hematoma (1), cellulitis (2), deep wound infection secondary to diverticulitis (1)
Sachs 201432 Multicenter, retrospective 144 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 58 (30-89) years

 

Sex: 30F/10M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 62%

 

Follow-up: 16 (12-26) mo

VAS: 8.6 pre-op, 2.7 at follow-up

 

91% Very or somewhat satisfied

 

91.7% would have surgery again

 

Surgical time: 73min

 

EBL: 31mL

 

Hospital stay: 0.8 days

 

No intraoperative complications.

 

28 post-op complications, most common: fall (5), trochanteric bursitis (4), piriformis syndrome (3), facet pain (3).

 

1 implant revision (1-year revision rate 0.7%),

Sachs 201355 Single center, retrospective case series 40 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 58 (30-81) years

 

Sex: 30F/10M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 30%

 

Follow-up: 12 mo

 

VAS: 8.7 (1.5) pre-op, 0.9 (1.6) at 12mo

 

98% reached MCID

 

100% patient satisfaction

Piriformis syndrome (1), new LBP (1), facet joint pain (8), trochanteric bursitis (2)
Cummings 201343 Single center, retrospective case series 18 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 64 (39-81) years

 

Sex: 12F/6M Prior lumbar fusion: 61%

 

Follow-up: 12 mo

VAS: 8.9 (1.9) pre-op, 2.3 (2.1) at 12mo

 

90% reached MCID

 

ODI: 52.6 (18.8) pre-op, 13.2 (12.6) at 12mo

 

SF-12 PCS: 37.8 (10.4) pre-op, 44.6 (10.5) at

12mo

 

Trochanteric bursitis (3), hematoma (1), fluid retention (1), toe numbness (1), implant malposition (1)

 

Gaetani 201329 Single center, retrospective case series 10 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 53.2 (36-71) years

 

Sex: 12F Prior lumbar fusion: 8.3%

 

Follow-up: 10 (8-18) mo

 

VAS: 7.7 (1.3) pre-op, 3 (1.2) at follow-up

 

ODI: 31.4 (6.3) pre-op, 12 (3.5) at follow-up

 

RDQ: 17.6 (1) pre-op, 3 (4.1) at follow-up

 

Surgical time: 65 (16) min

 

EBL: <45 mL

 

3 month CT scans show initial fusion

 

Local hematoma (2), low back pain (1)
Schroeder 201344 Single center, retrospective case series 6 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 50 (25-60) years

 

Sex: 6F/0M Prior lumbar fusion: 100% (deformity correction)

 

Follow-up: 10.25 (4-15) mo

VAS: 7.83 pre- op, 2.67 at follow-up

 

ODI: 22.1 pre- op, 10.5 at follow-up

 

Hospital stay: 2 days (range 1-4)

 

Bony bridging seen in 4 patients

 

No intraoperative or post-operative complications.
Rudolf 201341 Single center, sub-group analysis 40 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Subgroup analysis from Rudolf 2012 to assess effect of prior lumbar fusion or lumbar treatment on outcomes. Follow up: 12 and 24 months
18 (no prior fusion) iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 49 (12)

 

Sex: 12F/6M

VAS decrease at 12mo: -5.94 (3.3)

 

VAS decrease at 24mo: -5.47 (2.88)

 

Surgical time: 60 (19) min

Superficial cellulitis (2), wound infection (1), revision for implant malposition (1)
15 (prior fusion) iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 58 (11)

 

Sex: 11F/4M

VAS decrease at 12mo:
-3.50 (3.46)VAS decrease at 24mo:
-5.81 (2.88)

 

Surgical time: 64 (19) min

Superficial cellulitis (2), buttock hematoma (1), revision for implant malposition (1)
7 (prior concomitant lumbar pathology treated non-surgically iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 58 (17)

 

Sex: 3F/4M

VAS decrease at 12mo:
-3.71 (3.11)VAS decrease at 24mo:
-4.79 (4.28)

 

Surgical time: 64 (19) min

None
Endres 201338 Single center, Retrospective case series 19 DIANA

cage

 

[Product not approved for use in the US]

Posterior, longitudinally inserted into SI joint Age: 60.9 (36-76) years

 

Sex: 5F/14M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 100%

 

Follow-up: 13.2 (6-24) mo

VAS: 8.5 (7.5-9) pre-op to

6.0 (2.2-9) at follow-up

 

ODI: 64.1 (40-82) pre-op to 56.97 (8-82) at follow-up

 

EBL: <150mL

 

Hospital stay: 7.3 (3-10) days

 

Fusion rate: 78.9% (15/19 joints), defined as lack of loosening and evidence of bone bridging around the implant

 

No neurovascular complications
Mason 201336 Retrospective case series 55 HMA screw packed with DBM Lateral approach Age: 57 years

 

Sex: 46F/9M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 40%

 

Follow-up: 36 (12-84) mo

VAS: 8.05 (1.9) pre-op, 4.48 (2.81) at follow-up

 

SF-36PCS: 26.6 (15.2) pre-op, 43 (22.68) follow-up

 

Majeed scoring: 36.18 (15.08) pre- op, 64.78 (20.18) follow-up

 

Post-op nerve pain requiring reoperation (2)
Rudolf 201228 Single center, retrospective case series 50 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 54 (24-85) years

 

Sex: 34F/16M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 44%

 

Follow-up: 40 (24-56) mo

 

VAS: 7.6 pre- op, 2.0 at follow-up

 

82% reached MCID

 

82% patient satisfaction

 

Surgical time: 65 (26) min

Superficial cellulitis (3), deep wound infection (1), hematoma (2), reoperation (3)

 

Sachs 201242 Single center, retrospective case series 11 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach Age: 65 (45-82) years

 

Sex: 10F/1M Prior lumbar fusion: 18%

 

Follow-up: 12 mo

 

VAS: 7.9 (2.2) pre-op, 2.3 (3.1) at 12mo

 

Surgical time: 77.5 (31.8) min

 

EBL: 21.8 (18.9) mL

 

Piriformis syndrome (1), low back pain (1)
McGuire 201221 Retrospective case series 37 Fibular allograft dowels Posterior, longitudinally inserted into SI joint Age: 42.5 (23-63)

Years

 

Sex: 34F/3M

 

Follow-up: 39.6 (8-62) mo

 

Baseline VAS: 9.1

 

Final VAS: 3.4

 

Fusion rate: 89.5%

 

Nonunion requiring revision (4)

(10.5%)

Khurana 200935 Retrospective case series 15 HMA screw packed with DBM Lateral approach Age: 48.7 (37.3-62.6) years

 

Sex: 11F/4M Prior lumbar fusion: 40%

 

Follow-up: 17 (9-39) mo

SF-36 PF: 37.15 (14.28) pre- op, 79.33 (12.52) at follow-up

 

Majeed’s: 37 (18-54) pre- op, 79 (63-96) at follow-up

 

Good to excellent results:

13/15 (87%)

 

EBL: < 50 ml

 

Hospital stay: 2.7 (1-7) days

 

No post-operative neurological or wound complications.
Al-Khayer 200834 Retrospective case series 9 HMA screw packed with DBM Lateral approach Age: 42 (35-56) years

 

Sex: 9F

 

Follow-up: 40 (24-70) mo

VAS decreased: 8.1 (7-9) to 4.6 (3-7)

 

ODI decreased: 59 (34-70) to 45 (28-60)

 

EBL: <50 ml

 

Hospital stay: 6.9 (2-11) days

 

Return to work: 44.44%

 

Deep wound infection requiring debridement and IV antibiotics (1)
Wise 200837 Single center Prospective cohort 13 Titanium cage

 

packed with BMP

Posterior, Longitudinally inserted into SIJ Age: 53.1 (45-62) years

 

Sex: 12F/1M Prior lumbar fusion: 61.5%

 

Follow-up: 29.5 (24-35) mo

Back VAS improved by 4.9 pts Leg VAS improved by 2.4 pts

 

EBL: < 100 ml

 

Hospital stay: 1.7 days

 

Fusion rate: 89% (17/19 joints) on CT at 6mo

 

Reoperation via open arthrodesis secondary to nonunion and persistent pain (1)
Comparative cohort studies of open surgery vs MIS
Ledonio 201445 Single center, retrospective, comparative cohort study 22 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach MIS Cohort

 

Age: 47.9 (13.1) years

 

Sex: 17F/5M Prior lumbar fusion: 64%

 

Follow-up: median 15 (12-26) mo

 

ODI: 61.5 (12.5) pre-op, 52 (16.9) at follow-up

 

Surgical time: 68.3(26.8) min

 

EBL: 40.5 (31.4) mL

 

Hospital Stay: 2.0 (1.5) days

 

Pulmonary embolism that resolved with treatment (1), revisions due to halo formation on the sacral side with recurring sacroiliac joint pain (2)
22 3 hole,

4.5mm plate, autograft packed

within joint

Anterior approach through an ilioinguinal incision Open Cohort

 

Age: 51 (9.4) years

Sex:13F/9M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 50%

 

Follow-up: median 13 (11-33) mo

 

ODI: 61.8 (10.8) pre-op, 47.4 (21.7) at follow-up

 

Surgical time: 128 (27.9) min

 

EBL: 168.8 (479.0) mL

 

Hospital Stay: 3.3 (1.1) days

 

Pulmonary embolism (1), revision due to failed implant and nerve root irritation (2)
Ledonio 201446 Multicenter, retrospective, comparative cohort study 17 iFuse Implant System Lateral approach MIS Cohort

 

Age: median 66 (39-82) years

 

Sex: 11F/6M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 82%

 

Follow-up: 12 mo

 

Values reported as median (range)

 

ODI: 53 (14-84) pre-op, 13 (0-38) at 12 mo

 

Surgical time: 27 (18-72) min

 

Hospital Stay: 1 (1-2) days

 

Transient trochanteric bursitis (3), hematoma (1), transient toe numbness (1), revision due to malpositioned implant (1)
22 3 hole,

4.5mm plate, autograft packed

within joint

Anterior approach through an ilioinguinal incision Open Cohort

 

Age: median 51 (34-74) years

 

Sex: 82F/32M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 47%

 

Follow-up: 24 mo

Values reported as median (range)

 

ODI: 64 (44-78) pre-op, 46 (10-80) at 12 mo

 

Surgical time: 128 (73-180) min

 

Hospital Stay: 3 (2-6) days

 

Pulmonary embolism (1), revision due to failed implant and nerve root irritation (2)
Graham- Smith 201326 Multicenter, retrospective comparative cohort study 114 iFuse Implant System MIS Cohort

 

Age: 57.4 (14.0) years

 

Sex: 82F/32M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 47.4%

 

Follow-up: 24 mo

VAS: 8.3 (1.6) pre-op, 2.3 (2.6) at 12mo, 1.7 (2.9) at 24mo

 

MCID: 86% reached at 12mo, 82% at 24mo

 

Surgical time: 70 (24) min

 

EBL: 33 (27) mL

 

Hospital stay: 1.3 (0.5)

Days

 

No intraoperative.

 

Postop repositioning of implants (4), 3.5% (4/114).

149 Screws, plates Open posterior approach Open Cohort

 

Age: 45.8 (11.3) years

 

Sex: 103F/46M

 

Prior lumbar fusion: 23.5%

 

Follow-up: 24 mo

VAS: 7.1 (1.9) pre-op, 4.6 (3.0) at 12mo, 5.6 (2.9) at 24mo

 

MCID: 61% reached at 12mo, 50% at 24mo

 

Surgical time: 163 (25) min

 

EBL: 288 (182) mL

 

Hospital stay: 5.1 (1.9)

Days

 

No intraoperative.

 

Postop removal of implants (66), 44% (66/149).

 

NOTE: The table excludes 3 systematic reviews:

Abbreviations: SIJ: sacroiliac joint; MIS: minimally invasive surgery/surgical; F: female; M: male; EBL: estimated blood loss; mo: month; ODI: Oswestry Disability Index; VAS: Visual Analog Scale; NSM: Non-surgical management; DBM: demineralized bone matrix; HMA: hollow modular anchorage; BMP: bone morphogenic protein.

 

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Disclosures

Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS reports no disclosures.

 

 

 

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