Minimally Invasive Lumbar Interbody Fusion
There are many spinal conditions that may require a vertebrae fusion to restore stability to the spine and relieve painful lumbar conditions. A lumbar interbody fusion uses bone or other grafting material to connect two vertebrae together if they are damaged or if spinal discs were removed. To reduce surgical risks and speed in recovery, smaller incisions can be used during this procedure in many cases. At DOCS Health, we offer minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion surgery at our medical center in Los Angeles.
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
With an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, or ALIF surgery, the small incision is made in the abdomen to access the lumbar spine. The damaged spinal disc is removed, and the interbody fusion is completed through the anterior, or front, position using small surgical tools and laparoscopic techniques.
Lateral Anterior Interbody Fusion
In a lateral anterior interbody fusion, or lateral ALIF surgery, the small incision is made on the patient’s side to access the vertebrae and spinal discs in the lumbar spine. This procedure goes through the vertical muscles on either side of the lumbar spine to perform the vertebrae fusion on the front (anterior) of the spine.
Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
With a lateral lumbar interbody fusion, or LLIF, the incision is made near the patient’s flank to approach the spine from the side. This is also referred to as a direct or extreme lateral lumbar interbody fusion (DLIF or XLIF) surgery. The fusion is performed from the side, versus the front or back of the spine.
Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Also called the prepsoas technique, the oblique lumbar interbody fusion surgery offers a minimally invasive approach to repair the lumbar spine. The incision is made on the side of the patient’s flank and travels through the oblique corridor, reducing risk of injury to nerves and muscles during the procedure.
Prone Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion
LLIF surgery is utilized to approach the spine from the side, with the patient positioned on their side during surgery. Prone lateral lumbar interbody fusion, or prone LLIF surgery, positions the patient on their stomach to allow for a fusion without repositioning the patient for certain procedures.
Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
With transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, or TLIF surgery, the damaged disc is approached through the foramen, the space between the vertebrae where nerves exit the spinal column. This is a minimally invasive surgery to place a spacer between the vertebrae before the fusion of the vertebrae is performed.
Minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion surgeries can be used to correct herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis and other lumbar spine conditions. To learn more, contact us at DOCS Health in Beverly Hills to schedule a spine consultation.
Xray
Single position lateral anterior lumbar interbody fusion with simultaneous percutaneous posterior spinal fusion using minimally invasive robotic navigation with the Globus Excelsius
Robot:
Offsetting percutaneous pedicle screws on the left and cortical screws on the right to enable a single position lateral anterior/posterior simultaneous fusion. The use of robotic navigation technology improved operative efficiency, reduced the operative time in half, lowered the blood loss and improved patient safety and clinical outcomes.
Patient had ZERO pain after surgery and was discharged home the next day.
Doctors who treat this condition
Unless otherwise indicated, the physician is a member of DOCS Health Medical Group and has medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both. Physicians denoted with an asterisk (*) are independent physicians who are not part of DOCS Health Medical Group, but do have medical staff privileges at DOCS Surgery Center, DOCS Surgical Hospital, or both.