SOFT SYSTEM STABILIZATION OF THE LUMBAR SPINE AS AN ALTERNATIVE SURGICAL MODALITY TO LUMBAR ARTHRODESIS IN THE FACET SYNDROME PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

The authors present preliminary results in a series of 27 patients wit h a lumbar and/or lumbosacral facet syndrome operated on by use of the soft-system-Stabilization (SSS) according to Graf. Attention is paid to the correct selection of patients for this surgical technique. Exce llent, good, satisfactory, moderate, and poor results were obtained in 19 (70%), 2 (7.5%), 5 (18.5%), 1 (3.5%), and 0 instances, respectivel y. The authors think that a Graf-procedure may be indicated in young t o middle-aged patients with a lumbar and/or lumbosacral facet syndrome with 1.) no arthrotic changes of the facet joints, 2.) a still intact disc and/or only mild loss of intervertebral distance, 3.) well train ed low-back muscles, and 4.) a clear-cut pain relief on test-anaesthes ia of articular nerves and trial immobilization in a plastic jacket.