How I do it: mini invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Abstract

Minimally invasive approaches for lumbar fusion are aimed at reducing soft tissue injury in order to minimize surgical morbidity and facilitate recovery. Applied to lumbar fusion, such an approach is described as a mini-open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF). Important anatomical landmarks are reviewed. Indications, advantages, and limitations are discussed, and a step-by-step description of the procedure is presented. Decompression, fixation, and bone grafting can be achieved efficiently through this approach with lesser blood loss, shorter hospital stay, reduced rate of general complications, and infections as well as a lower readmission rate. The mini-open TLIF technique, as presented here, is a safe and efficient procedure to achieve lumbar fusion with a reduced rate of complications related to surgery.