Barricaid – the band-aid for your spine!
Admin
How do we stop something from rupturing back after an operation? “(….lights up a joint…) Just stitch it better bro..” said a dude on the train. “Hmm, ‘stitch it better’, duh… … … Oh yeah! Why not!”
This is how I imagine this was invented
Reherniation after discectomy has been a pain in the back (pun intended) for spine surgeons. We all know the moment we order an MRI on a post-op patient: the monologue that starts when we see a re-herniated disc. Is it the cause of the pain? Do you think I should offer a revision? Going into the previously scarred area is never a nice case to do.
Studies show 44% unsatisfactory outcome and 88% long-term opioid use after revision discectomy. In addition to being less likely to return to work and longer hospital stays.
This pain point led to the invention of the Barricaid® ‘only FDA-approved’ device for closing large defects in Annulus.
The metal is titanium alloy to anchor into the vertebral body, and polyester (PET) fabric is used to occlude the annular defect. This can withstand 330 psi of disc pressure while allowing normal anatomical movement.
Inserted under fluoroscopy after discectomy
Studies show that this is superior to discectomy alone. This device significantly reduces re-herniations, reoperations, and re-admissions. This paper shows no difference in revision with or without Barricaid in place.
