Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical technique used to join together two or more vertebrae in the spine and to minimize the pain caused by movement of these vertebrae. Fusion of vertebrae in lumbar portion of the spine is called as lumbar fusion and the surgery can be done as an open or minimally invasive procedure.

Several techniques are practiced for minimally invasive surgery and they include

  • Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, ALIF – accessing the spine from the front
  • Posterior lumbar interbody fusion, PLIF – approaching the spine from the back
  • Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, TLIF – approaching from the side

Procedure

In PLIF surgery, several 1-2 inch incisions are made on the back, a series of increasingly larger dilators are used to spread the muscles apart and to provide access to the spine. The rods and screws are placed through the dilator tubes. In some cases an operating microscope may be used to provide a better view.

During the surgery, a piece of bone harvested from other parts of the body or collected from a bone bank is transplanted between the adjacent vertebrae. As the healing occurs, the bone fuses with the spine. This stimulates growth of solid mass of bone which helps in stabilizing the spine. In some cases, metal implants such as rods, hooks, wires, plates or screws are used to hold the vertebra firm until new bone grows between them.

A minimally invasive lumbar fusion technique is used to treat fractured vertebra, lumbar instability, spine deformities—scoliosis or kyphosis, cervical disc hernias, tumours, back pain and failed back syndrome. Spondylolisthesis, a painful condition of the spine caused by disc displacement or slipped disc, can be treated with minimally invasive lumbar fusion technique.

Advantages

Minimally invasive technique of fusion carries many advantages and they include:

  • Minimal damage to the adjacent tissues
  • Reduced post-operative pain
  • Reduced hospital stay
  • Faster recovery
  • Diminished blood loss
  • Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital

    NHS

    Ashford and St Peter’s
    Hospital
    NHS Foundation Trust
    Guildford Road, Cherstey,
    Surrey, KY16 0PZ.
    Ph: 01932 722 730
  • The BMI Runnymede Hospital

    Private

    The BMI
    Runnymede Hospital
    Guildford Road,
    Ottershaw, CHERTSEY,
    KT16 0RQ.
    Ph: 01932 877800
  • Spire St Anthony’s Hospital

    Private

    Spire St Anthony’s
    Hospital
    801 London Road,
    NORTH CHEAM,
    SM3 9DW.
    Ph: 020 8337 6691
  • Nuffield Health Woking Hospital

    Private

    Nuffield Health
    Woking Hospital
    Shores Road,
    WOKING,
    GU21 4BY.
    Ph: 01483 331257
  • Ramsay Health Ashtead Hospital

    Private

    Ramsay Health
    Ashtead Hospital
    The Warren,
    Ashtead, Surrey.
    KT21 2SB.
    Ph: 01372 221400