scholarly journals Anterior to psoas fusion of the lumbar spine

2013 ◽  
Vol 35 (v2supplement) ◽  
pp. Video13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Gragnaniello ◽  
Kevin A. Seex

Lateral interbody cages have proven useful in lumbar fusion surgery. Spanning both lateral cortical rims while sparing the anterior longitudinal ligament, they restore disc height, improve coronal balance and add stability. The standard approach to their insertion is 90 degrees lateral transpsoas which is bloodless compared to other techniques of interbody cage insertion but requires neuro-monitoring and at L4/5 can be difficult because of iliac crest obstruction or an anterior plexus position. The oblique muscle-splitting approach with the patient in a lateral position, remains retroperitoneal, and on the left side enters the disc space through a window between psoas and the common iliac vein. Reports of this approach are few and none previously have described how to use the large lateral-type cages so effective at restoring spinal alignment. In this video we demonstrate our technique of anterior to psoas fusion of the lumbar spine with a retroperitoneal approach and gentle retraction of the psoas muscle.The video can be found here: http://youtu.be/OS2vNcX9JMA.

2009 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Benglis ◽  
Steve Vanni ◽  
Allan D. Levi

Object Minimally invasive anterolateral approaches to the lumbar spine are options for the treatment of a number of adult degenerative spinal disorders. Nerve injuries during these surgeries, although rare, can be devastating complications. With an increasing number of spine surgeons utilizing minimal access retroperitoneal surgery to treat lumbar problems, the frequency of complications associated with this approach will likely increase. The authors sought to better understand the location of the lumbar contribution of the lumbosacral plexus relative to the disc spaces encountered when performing the minimally invasive transpsoas approach, also known as extreme lateral interbody fusion or direct lateral interbody fusion. Methods Three fresh cadavers were placed lateral, and a total of 3 dissections of the lumbar contribution of the lumbosacral plexus were performed. Radiopaque soldering wire was then laid along the anterior margin of the nerve fibers and the exiting femoral nerve. Markers were placed at the disc spaces and lateral fluoroscopy was used to measure the location of the lumbar plexus along each respective disc space in the lumbar spine (L1–2, L2–3, L3–4, and L4–5). Results The lumbosacral plexus was found lying within the substance of the psoas muscle between the junction of the transverse process and vertebral body and exited along the medial edge of the psoas distally. The lumbosacral plexus was most dorsally positioned at the posterior endplate of L1–2. A general trend of progressive ventral migration of the plexus on the disc space was noted at L2–3, L3–4, and L4–5. Average ratios were calculated at each level (location of the plexus from the dorsal endplate to total disc length) and were 0 (L1–2), 0.11 (L2–3), 0.18 (L3–4), and 0.28 (L4–5). Conclusions This anatomical study suggests that positioning the dilator and/or retractor in a posterior position of the disc space may result in nerve injury to the lumbosacral plexus, especially at the L4–5 level. The risk of injuring inherent nerve branches directed to the psoas muscle as well as injury to the genitofemoral nerve do still exist.


Author(s):  
Alice Giotta Lucifero ◽  
Cristian Gragnaniello ◽  
Matias Baldoncini ◽  
Alvaro Campero ◽  
Gabriele Savioli ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To assess the rate, timing of diagnosis, and repairing strategies of vascular injuries in thoracic and lumbar spine surgery as their relationship to the approach. Methods PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were utilized for a comprehensive literature search based on keywords and mesh terms to find articles reporting iatrogenic vascular injury during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery. English articles published in the last ten years were selected. The search was refined based on best match and relevance. Results Fifty-six articles were eligible, for a cumulative volume of 261 lesions. Vascular injuries occurred in 82% of instrumented procedures and in 59% during anterior approaches. The common iliac vein (CIV) was the most involved vessel, injured in 49% of anterior lumbar approaches. Common iliac artery, CIV, and aorta were affected in 40%, 28%, and 28% of posterior approaches, respectively. Segmental arteries were injured in 68% of lateral approaches. Direct vessel laceration occurred in 81% of cases and recognized intraoperatively in 39% of cases. Conclusions Incidence of iatrogenic vascular injuries during thoracic and lumbar spine surgery is low but associated with an overall mortality rate up to 65%, of which less than 1% for anterior approaches and more than 50% for posterior ones. Anterior approaches for instrumented procedures are at risk of direct avulsion of CIV. Posterior instrumented fusions are at risk for injuries of iliac vessels and aorta. Lateral routes are frequently associated with lesions of segmental vessels. Suture repair and endovascular techniques are useful in the management of these severe complications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
A. A. Grin’ ◽  
R. A. Kovalenko ◽  
N. А. Konovalov ◽  
D. V. Efimov ◽  
A. V. Antonov ◽  
...  

The study objective is to summarize the existing literature and own experience related to damage to vessels, retroperitoneal organs, and abdominal organs during lumbar spine surgery through the posterior approach, as well as to identify risk factors associated with this damage and to describe measures for their elimination and prevention.Materials and methods. In addition to analyzing the research literature, we also described 9 cases (3 males and 6 females; mean age 52 ± 9 years) of intraoperative damage to vessels and adjacent organs during lumbar spine surgery for some degenerative disease, including herniated disc (n = 7), anterolisthesis (n = 1), and vertebral-motor segment instability (n = 1). The surgery was performed at the L4–L5 level (n = 7) and L5–S1 level (n = 2). Results. The damages observed in the cohort analyzed were caused by a conchotome (n = 6), transpedicular screw (n = 1), Volkmann spoon (n = 1), and a tip of the SpineJet Hydrodiscectomy System (n = 1). The following structures were damaged; left common iliac vein (n = 2), left common iliac artery (n = 2), left common iliac vein and root of the small-bowel mesentery (n = 1), sigmoid colon (n = 1), aorta (n = 1), inferior vena cava (n = 1), and aortocaval anastomosis (n = 1). Five patients had intraoperative hemorrhagic complications. Four patients were found to have damage to vessels or abdominal organs later (1 h, 2 h, 3 days, and 4 months postoperatively). Four patients were discharged without consequences; 2 patients became disabled; 3 patients died.Conclusion. Damage to vessels, retroperitoneal organs, and abdominal organs during lumbar spine surgery through the posterior approach is a rare, but mortally dangerous complication. Spine surgery should be performed in multi-unit hospitals that have a surgery unit, a vascular surgery unit, an intensive care unit, and a sufficient supply of blood for transfusion.


2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Voyadzis ◽  
Daniel Felbaum ◽  
Jay Rhee

Minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion for the treatment of degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or scoliosis is becoming increasingly popular. The approach at L4–5 carries the highest risk of nerve injury given the proximity of the lumbar plexus and femoral nerve. The authors present 3 cases that were aborted during the approach because of pervasive electromyography responses throughout the L4–5 disc space. Preoperative imaging characteristics of psoas muscle anatomy in all 3 cases are analyzed and discussed. In all cases, the psoas muscle on axial views was rising away from the vertebral column as opposed to its typical location lateral to it. Preoperative evaluation of psoas muscle anatomy is important. A rising psoas muscle at L4–5 on axial imaging may complicate a lateral approach.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xigong Li ◽  
Weiyi Diao ◽  
Yuzhu Zhang ◽  
Junsong Wu ◽  
Chunyang Xing ◽  
...  

Abstract Study DesignTechnique note.ObjectivesTo describe our modified oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) technique in the reconstruction of the L5-S1 segment.Summary of Background DataRecently, OLIF has been generally recognized as an effective procedure in the treatment of various spinal pathologies at L2-L5 segments. However, the usage of OLIF at the L5-S1 segment doesn’t have gained widespread acceptance in spine community. Some authors still concern about the feasibility of OLIF used in lumbosacral fusionMethodsTen consecutive patients underwent L5-S1 interbody fusion using the OLIF technique in our institution. The L5–S1 disc space is approached via one retroperitoneal oblique corridor between the psoas muscle and the great vessels. The discectomy and endplate preparation are performed through a surgical window developed on the anterolateral side of L5-S1 disc. A secondary cage insertion technique is used for safe placement of interbody fusion cages.ResultsOf the 10 patients, 6 were males and 4 were females, with an average age of 55.4±6.8 years. There were 8 single-level and 2 two-level procedures, including 2 at L4–L5 and 10 at L5–S1. Preoperative axial MR images confirmed 1 patient with type I LCIV (left common iliac vein), 6 with type II LCIV and 3 with type III LCIV. The average blood loss was 133.4±88.5 ml, and the average operative times were 153.6±38.3 minutes. Postoperative radiographs examination confirmed all patients obtained a better reconstruction at the lumbosacral junction. Two patients with type III LCIV sustained iliolumbar vein laceration during the exposure, and no other perioperative complications were encountered.ConclusionOur novel OLIF L5-S1 technique is a more feasible procedure of lumbosacral fusion, which shared the common surgical plane with OLIF L2-5, allowing for L2 to S1 reproducible multi-levels interbody fusions via a retroperitoneal oblique corridor between the psoas muscle and the great vessels. Detailed preoperative plan and meticulous intraoperative manipulation are prerequisite for the success of OLIF L5-S1 procedure.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Zain Boghani ◽  
William III Steele ◽  
Sean M. Barber ◽  
Jonathan J. Lee ◽  
Olumide Sokunbi ◽  
...  

Background: A minimally invasive approach to the L2-S1 disc spaces through a single, left-sided, retroperitoneal oblique corridor has been previously described. However, the size of this corridor varies, limiting access to the disc space in certain patients. Here, the authors retrospectively reviewed lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 300 patients to better define the size and variability of the retroperitoneal oblique corridor. Methods: Lumbar spine MRI from 300 patients was reviewed. The size of the retroperitoneal oblique corridor from L2-S1 was measured. It was defined as the (1) distance between the medial aspect of the aorta and the lateral aspect of the psoas muscle from L2-L5 and (2) the distance between the midpoint of the L5-S1 disc and the medial aspect of the nearest major vessel on the left at L5-S1. In addition, the rostral-caudal location of the iliac bifurcation was measured. Results: The size of the retroperitoneal oblique corridor at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 was, respectively, 17.3 ± 6.4 mm, 16.2 ± 6.3 mm, 14.8 ± 7.8 cm, and 13.0 ± 8.3 mm. The incidence of corridor size <1 cm at L2/3, L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 was 10.3%, 16.0%, 30.0%, and 39.3%, respectively. The iliac bifurcation was most commonly found behind the L4 vertebral body (n = 158, 52.67%) followed by the L4/5 disc space (n = 74, 24.67%). Conclusion: The size of the retroperitoneal oblique corridor diminishes in a rostral-caudal direction, often limiting access to the L4/5 and L5/S1 disc spaces.


2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ho-Joong Kim ◽  
Seong-Hwan Moon ◽  
Heoung-Jae Chun ◽  
Kyoung-Tak Kang ◽  
Hak-Sun Kim ◽  
...  

Purpose: To investigate the difference in motion profiles between instrumented and non-instrumented fusion of the lumbar spine.. Method: In vivo retrospective radiological analysis of dynamic (flexion-extension) lateral plain films was performed in different lumbar spine fusion types. Twenty-eight patients underwent lumbar fusion surgery at the L4/5 level. Fourteen patients underwent anterior fusion surgery without implantation, and the others underwent posterior instrumented fusion. Segmental angular motion was measured at the fused and adjacent levels using dynamic plain lateral film 2 years after operation. Results: The anterior uninstrumented fusion group showed mean 2.0° of segmental angular motion at the fused level compared with mean of 0.8° in the posterior instrumented fusion group (P < 0.05). In contrast, at the proximal adjacent level, decreased angular motion (mean 7.7°) was noted in the anterior uninstrumented fusion group compared with mean 11.6° in the posterior instrumented fusion group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that differing stiffness of fusion segments could cause different mechanical motion profiles at adjacent segments.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 248-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana M. Molinares ◽  
Timothy T. Davis ◽  
Daniel A. Fung

OBJECT The purpose of this study was to analyze MR images of the lumbar spine and document: 1) the oblique corridor at each lumbar disc level between the psoas muscle and the great vessels, and 2) oblique access to the L5–S1 disc space. Access to the lumbar spine without disruption of the psoas muscle could translate into decreased frequency of postoperative neurological complications observed after a transpsoas approach. The authors investigated the retroperitoneal oblique corridor of L2–S1 as a means of surgical access to the intervertebral discs. This oblique approach avoids the psoas muscle and is a safe and potentially superior alternative to the lateral transpsoas approach used by many surgeons. METHODS One hundred thirty-three MRI studies performed between May 4, 2012, and February 27, 2013, were randomly selected from the authors’ database. Thirty-three MR images were excluded due to technical issues or altered lumbar anatomy due to previous spine surgery. The oblique corridor was defined as the distance between the left lateral border of the aorta (or iliac artery) and the anterior medial border of the psoas. The L5–S1 oblique corridor was defined transversely from the midsagittal line of the inferior endplate of L-5 to the medial border of the left common iliac vessel (axial view) and vertically to the first vascular structure that crossed midline (sagittal view). RESULTS The oblique corridor measurements to the L2–5 discs have the following mean distances: L2–3 = 16.04 mm, L3–4 = 14.21 mm, and L4–5 = 10.28 mm. The L5–S1 corridor mean distance was 10 mm between midline and left common iliac vessel, and 10.13 mm from the first midline vessel to the inferior endplate of L-5. The bifurcation of the aorta and confluence of the vena cava were also analyzed in this study. The aortic bifurcation was found at the L-3 vertebral body in 2% of the MR images, at the L3–4 disc in 5%, at the L-4 vertebral body in 43%, at the L4–5 disc in 11%, and at the L-5 vertebral body in 9%. The confluence of the iliac veins was found at lower levels: 45% at the L-4 level, 19.39% at the L4–5 intervertebral disc, and 34% at the L-5 vertebral body. CONCLUSIONS An oblique corridor of access to the L2–5 discs was found in 90% of the MR images (99% access to L2–3, 100% access to L3–4, and 91% access to L4–5). Access to the L5–S1 disc was also established in 69% of the MR images analyzed. The lower the confluence of iliac veins, the less probable it was that access to the L5–S1 intervertebral disc space was observed. These findings support the use of lumbar MRI as a tool to predetermine the presence of an oblique corridor for access to the L2–S1 intervertebral disc spaces prior to lumbar spine surgery.


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