Percutaneously placed lumbar interspinous stabilization devices - a review of current clinical research.

Abstract

There are generally two categories of interspinous stabilization devices widely used in clinics: (1) Static spacing systems, such as X-STOP, Wallis. (2) Dynamic stabilization systems, such as Coflex, DIAM, stenofix. However, with the advancement of minimally invasive techniques, interspinous stabilization devices paced through percutaneous minimally invasive approach have been invented and applied in daily clinic. Its advantages, such as simple operation, small trauma and short hospitalization time are gradually recognized by doctors and patients. Percutaneous minimally invasive approach will become the future direction in the field of interspinous stabilization devices. This paper therefore reviewed the current clinical research progress of interspinous stabilization devices performed under percutaneous minimally invasive approach. We searched studies related to percutaneously placed lumbar interspinous stabilization devices from PubMed, since January 1, 2007. The main types and characteristics of currently used and percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices were summarized. Meanwhile, clinical studies relevant to currently used and percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices were also summarized. The future of interspinous stabilization devices is bright, we would like to see more advanced and newly invented percutaneously placed interspinous stabilization devices, meanwhile, it is fundamentally crucial to enroll more clinical studies with long-term follow-up to determine the best indications for each device therefore to achieve more satisfactory clinical outcomes.