• Burak M Ozgur, Samuel A Hughes, Lissa C Baird, and William R Taylor.
• Division of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Dr., #8893, San Diego, CA 92103-8893, USA. bozgur@ucsd.edu
• Spine J. 2006 Jan 1;6(1):27-33.

BackgroundPosterior 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).PurposeTo evaluate the advantages to patient recovery and surgical efficacy of this technique.Methods/ResultsRetrospective review of technique employing a minimally-disruptive approach to decompression and transforaminal lumber interbody fusion (TLIF).ConclusionsMinimally-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.

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