Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion ( TLIF ) is a surgical procedure to stabilize the spine and reduce back pain and leg by the union of two or more vertebrae to prevent abnormal motion .

Who is a candidate for a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion?

Patients with back pain and leg pain lumbar fusion surgery, weakness or numbness that failed conservative measures (physiotherapy, medications, transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, etc. ) and have evidence of disc degeneration or instability MRI are candidates for a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

What is the minimally invasive surgical approach?

lumbar fusion surgery minimally invasive spine is performed through small incisions in the back and used intraoperative X-ray microscope transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, tubular retractors, and special instruments to prevent significant damage to the back muscles .

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion surgery has many advantages of traditional spine surgery (or open), including smaller incisions transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, less surgical blood loss , smaller scars and a shorter hospital stay , less pain during recovery and a return Quick to work and daily activities .

What happens during the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery?

The patient is placed in a local operating and placed under general anesthesia with a breathing tube for the duration of surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, usually about 3 to 4 hours for a single level procedure . X -ray is used to plan two small ( about 2 inches long) small incisions back - one on each side of the median line lumbar fusion surgery - through which the operation is performed. If intraoperative scanner and navigation 3 - D are used , a small incision is made ​​in the basin to secure the navigation transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion frame.

Without cutting through the muscles lumbar fusion surgery, a series of dilators are used to separate the muscle fibers and to provide access to the spine transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. A spacer is positioned on the dilator and provides a working channel for performing the operation. A microscope is used to provide a close-up view during the procedure.

Bone spurs are lumbar fusion surgery removed and the ligament covered to create more space for the nerves in the spinal canal. The major part of the disc between the vertebrae is then removed to create the space for bone transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Then an entirely synthetic spacer own bone fragments and patients plastic is inserted between the vertebrae . The spacer provides support to the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and helps the bone fusion. Additional plastic material is placed around the spacer to stimulate bone growth .

Titanium screws are inserted into the vertebrae above and below the separator and interconnected by rods titanium lumbar fusion surgery. This provides support to the spine transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, while the bone over time merge . Screws and rods do not need to be removed and not sound the metal detector at the airport.

The incisions are closed with sutures that are under the skin and dissolve over time , so no suture removal is necessary . Sterile dressings are placed over two days stay transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. If surgery is two or more levels , or if the patient has risk factors for the fusion of not having a back of the belt and / or a bone growth stimulator takes over six weeks after surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, otherwise clamping is not required.