Neurosurg Focus
-
Comparative Study
A minimally invasive approach for posterior lumbar interbody fusion.
Despite the technical innovations that posterior approaches for lumbar fusion have undergone, the goal of a significant reduction in the extent of dissection has remained elusive. Because extensive muscular dissection is related to both acute and chronic pain, a reproducible minimally invasive posterior approach to lumbar interbody fusion would have significant clinical value. The technical aspects of a minimally invasive approach to posterior lumbar interbody fusion (microPLIF) with fixation involving tools developed for videoscopic discectomy will be described. ⋯ This procedure involves a reproducible technique that results in a construct that is radiographically identical to that which could be expected from any standard open procedure. The minimized muscular dissection results in a tremendous improvement in postoperative mobility. All complications in this series were related to the placement of femoral cortical allograft implants. The use of a modified cement restrictor should eliminate the risk of interbody device placement.