BACKGROUND
The SurgiFile (SurgiFile, Inc., Carlsbad, California) is a specialized tool designed for the treatment of lateral recess and foraminal stenosis that allows surgeons to internally expand and decompress the entire length of the neural foramen while preserving the integrity of the overlying facet complex.

METHODS
We used two cadaveric specimens in this study. After they removed the lamina and spinous processes of L2, L3, L4, and L5 from the dorsal spine, fellowship-trained spinal surgeons used the standard tools and the SurgiFile to the best of their experience and ability on alternating sides of each level to decompress the lateral recess and neural foramen while still preserving at least 50% of the dorsal facet complex. Using preoperative and postoperative fine-cut CT scans with axial and sagittal reconstructions, we evaluated the degree of decompression and the amount of preserved facet complex using analytical tests and recording the measurements.

RESULTS
The difference between the proximal recess and lateral foramen of the groups was statistically significant in the axial CT images.

On sagittal reconstruction CT images, the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05, Wilcoxon) only for the lateral foramen.

Although a strong trend toward better area change was evident for the proximal recess measurements in the experimental tool sides, this did not achieve statistical significance. Macroscopic and CT scans measurements showed that the amount of facetectomy for adequate decompression with the SurgiFile was less than the amount achieved with the standard tools.

CONCLUSIONS
For the treatment of spinal stenosis, this novel powered-file instrument provides surgeons with a new means of decompressing the lateral recess and neural foramina. In this cadaveric study, procedures performed with the SurgiFile tool showed a statistically superior degree of decompression as compared with the standard surgical instruments and techniques.

Key Words Foraminal stenosis, lateral recess, spinal stenosis, spinal surgery. SAS Journal. Autumn 2007;1; 135–142. SASJ-2006-0107-NT

From the Department of Neurosurgery, Canakkale 18 Mart University of Medical School, Canakkale, Turkey (Cosar), the Division of Neurosurgery, UCLA, Los Angeles, California (Khoo), and the Arizona Institute for Minimally Invasive Spine Care, Phoenix, Arizona (C.A. Yeung and A.T. Yeung).

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Murat Cosar, MD, Canakkale 18 Mart University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, 17200 Canakkale, Turkey (email:drcosar@hotmail.com).

This manuscript was received July 3, 2007 and accepted for publication on October 18, 2007.

Note: There are no outside funding sources for authors of this study.

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board.