Neurosurg Focus
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Review Case Reports
Vulnerability of the L5 nerve root during anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1: case series and review of the literature.
Nerve root injuries associated with anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) are uncommonly reported in the literature. This case series and review aims to describe the etiology of L5 nerve root injury following ALIF at L5-S1. ⋯ Stretch neuropraxia from overdistraction is an important cause of postoperative L5 radiculopathy after L5-S1 ALIF. Judicious use of implants and careful preoperative planning to determine optimal implant sizes are paramount.