Diagnostics, Therapeutics & Surgery

Currently, Dr. Kenneth Renkens participating in a clinical research study sponsored by Anulex Technologies. Dr. Renkens is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.   

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the benefits of performing soft tissue repair during a lumbar discectomy as compared to a disectomy performed without tissue repair. The product that is being used to repair the tissue is the Xcloseä Tissue Repair System.  

A discectomy is a spine surgery performed to relieve back pain caused by a herniated disc – sometimes called a bulging disc.  During a lumbar discectomy, the standard of care is to remove the portion of the disc that is applying the pressure to the nerve.  To perform this procedure, a small incision is made into the outer layer of the disc – this outer layer is called the anulus fibrosus.  As a result of this small incision in the outer layer of the disc, it could re-herniate in the future - resulting in back pain and discomfort. 

Typically, during this spine surgical procedure the soft tissue surrounding the disc, the anulus is not repaired.  As a result, this material can push outside the disc and compress the nerve rood resulting in back pain and discomfort.  With the Xclose device it provides a method to repair the anulus during the lumbar discectomy. 

For more information, here is a link to a summary of this study that Dr. Kenneth Renkens is participating in.