[The importance of interspinous spacers in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis].

INTRODUCTION

In the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis, interspinous spacers can be used in a tissue and time sparing technique. Relief of low back pain might be achieved by stress reduction of facet joints and limitation of segmental mobility.

AIM

Presentation of dynamic stabilization by means of an interspinous spacer with and without decompression and to compare it with the outcome of decompression and fusion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

As part of a PubMed search, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs from high-quality controlled clinical trials were selected and contrasted with our own experience.

RESULTS

The current literature was evaluated, which assesses interspinous spacers with and without decompression in comparison with the "gold standard", the microsurgical interlaminar decompression.

CONCLUSION

Published data indicate that the use of interspinous spacers with or without decompression for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis is not less effective than stand-alone decompression. The reoperation rate can only be proven for implants without decompression on the basis of Level I studies. However, as a link between decompression alone and fusion, it cannot yet provide a scientifically clear solution.