Intervertebral Micro Access Surgery for Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-213
Author(s):  
Wilson Z Ray ◽  
Ian G Dorward ◽  
Robert L Masson

Abstract BACKGROUND Minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) has undergone tremendous progress in the past 2 decades. The intervertebral micro access surgery (iMAS) technique represents a hybrid of both open and minimally invasive techniques. OBJECTIVE To describe the surgical technique and operative nuances of the iMAS technique. METHODS We describe a novel operative approach for the standard transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with pedicle screw fixation. Described are the preoperative planning, incision and approach, pedicle screw insertion, facetectomy and discectomy, transforaminal interbody placement, and direct decompression. RESULTS Early experience suggests that iMAS is well suited for the same degenerative conditions currently treated with open or MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, including grade I spondylolisthesis, unilateral synovial cysts with instability, unilateral disc herniations with instability, and recurrent disc herniations. CONCLUSION The novel integration of both open and MIS techniques makes iMAS an attractive approach for select degenerative lumbar disease processes. Similar to other MIS procedures, minimal tissue disruption may allow for more rapid patient recovery, reduced blood loss, and reduced length of hospital stay.

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harel Deutsch ◽  
Michael J. Musacchio

Object Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of axial low-back pain. Minimally invasive spine surgery for arthrodesis has several advantages, including quicker patient recovery, less postoperative pain, and less destruction of adjacent tissue. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the clinical outcomes after PLIF procedures in which unilateral pedicle screw fixation was used. Methods Prospective data were collected in 34 patients undergoing a one-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in 2003. Conservative therapy, including physical therapy and aggressive multimodality pain management, had failed in all patients. Selection was based on magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrating degenerative disc disease. All patients underwent a unilateral TLIF procedure in conjunction with posterior unilateral pedicle screw fixation. Twenty patients in whom the follow-up duration was longer than 6 months were included in this study. The follow-up duration in all patients ranged from 6 to 12 months. Seventeen (85%) of 20 patients had a good result, which was defined as a greater than 20-point reduction in the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score. The other three patients had no improvement. The mean preoperative ODI score of 57 improved to 25 after surgery (p < 0.005). In the 17 patients who demonstrated improvement, the mean ODI score improved from 57 to 18. The patients' visual analog scale pain scores improved from 8.3 to 1.4 (p < 0.005) after surgery. In patients who received Workers' Compensation, three (75%) of four improved. Follow-up computerized tomography scans were obtained in all 20 patients at 6 months. At that time, 13 of the patients demonstrated some degree of fusion, and no symptomatic pseudarthrosis was noted. Conclusions Minimally invasive TLIF in conjunction with unilateral pedicle screw instrumentation is an effective treatment for axial low-back pain in appropriately selected patients.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moo Sung Kang ◽  
Jeong Yoon Park ◽  
Kyung Hyun Kim ◽  
Sung Uk Kuh ◽  
Dong Kyu Chin ◽  
...  

Minimally invasive surgery with a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) is an important minimally invasive fusion technique for the lumbar spine. Lumbar spine reoperation is challenging and is thought to have greater complication risks. The purpose of this study was to compare MIS TLIF with unilateral screw fixation perioperative results between primary and revision surgeries. This was a prospective study that included 46 patients who underwent MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw. The patients were divided into two groups, primary and revision MIS TLIF, to compare perioperative results and complications. The two groups were similar in age, sex, and level of operation, and were not significantly different in the length of follow-up or clinical results. Although dural tears were more common with the revision group (primary 1; revision 4), operation time, blood loss, total perioperative complication, and fusion rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Both groups showed substantial improvements in VAS and ODI scores one year after surgical treatment. Revision MIS TLIF performed by an experienced surgeon does not necessarily increase the risk of perioperative complication compared with primary surgery. MIS TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation is a valuable option for revision lumbar surgery.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 441-452

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) has been increasingly used to treat degenerative lumbar disease in recent years. However, there are still controversies about whether PE-TLIF is superior to minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF). OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical outcomes and complications of PE-TLIF and MIS-TLIF in treating degenerative lumbar disease. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A comprehensive search of online databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify related studies reporting the outcomes and complications of PE-TLIF and MIS-TLIF for degenerative lumbar disease. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry Disability Index. In addition, the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, time to ambulation, length of hospital stay, fusion rate, and surgery-related complications were summarized. Forest plots were constructed to investigate the results. RESULTS: A total of 28 studies involving 1,475 patients were included in this meta-analysis. PE-TLIF significantly reduced operative time, intraoperative blood loss, time to ambulation, and length of hospital stay compared to MIS-TLIF. Moreover, PE-TLIF was superior to MIS-TLIF in the early postoperative relief of back pain. However, there were no significant differences in medium to long-term clinical outcomes, fusion rate, and incidence of complications between PE-TLIF and MIS-TLIF. LIMITATIONS: The current evidence is heterogeneous and most studies included in this meta-analysis are nonrandomized controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis indicates that medium to long-term clinical outcomes and complication rates of PE-TLIF were similar to MIS-TLIF for the treatment of degenerative lumbar disease. However, PE-TLIF shows advantages in less surgical trauma, faster recovery, and early postoperative relief of back pain. KEY WORDS: Percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, degenerative lumbar disease, chronic pain, systematic review, meta-analysis


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