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Minimally disruptive decompression and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Ozgur BM, Hughes SA, Baird LC, Taylor WR

Division of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Dr., #8893, San Diego, CA 92103-8893, USA. bozgur@ucsd.edu

BACKGROUND: Posterior spinal procedures through tubular exposures have been described. However, tubes restrain visibility and require co-axial instrument manipulation, increasing difficulty and potentially compromising surgical results. An independent-blade retractor system overcomes the obstacles of working through a tube and has been used to perform minimally-disruptive decompression and instrumented tranforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). PURPOSE: To evaluate the advantages to patient recovery and surgical efficacy of this technique. METHODS/RESULTS: Retrospective review of technique employing a minimally-disruptive approach to decompression and transforaminal lumber interbody fusion (TLIF). CONCLUSIONS: Minimally-disruptive decompression and instrumented TLIF can be performed in a safe and effective manner using an independent-blade retractor system. Relative to traditional-open techniques, surgical goals can be accomplished, but with the benefits of minimally-disruptive surgery.

Published 17 January 2006 in Spine J, 6(1): 27-33.
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