[Interspinous decompression as treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis]

Interspinous process distractors are an effective operative tool for treating patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Lumbar stenosis with minor secondary instabilities due to degenerative changes in the segment can also be treated successfully with these devices. In case of failure, these devices can easily be revised or removed. As this operative procedure is not very time-consuming, it is a reasonable option for elderly patients with various medical problems and increased anaesthetic risk. There are reports of implanting these devices in certain cases under local anaesthetic. A prospective randomised trial has shown promising results for up to two years postoperatively. There are no long-term results available.