Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion

Endoscopic Lumbar Fusion is a minimally invasive spinal surgery indicated as a last resort of treatment for conditions that cause spinal instability in the lower back. These include:

In this procedure, the lumbar spine (lower back) will be approached to remove all or part of a herniated disc(s) from in between two adjacent vertebrae followed by fusion of vertebrae on either side of remaining disc space using bone grafts.

The endoscopic procedure employs a surgical device with a tiny camera and lens at one end that will be inserted into the site of surgery through smaller incisions. This enables a better view of the inner area when connected to a larger screen. Through the other incisions, surgical instruments can be inserted for resection and implant.

Lumbar Fusion Approaches

Lumbar fusion surgery can be performed using several approaches:

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) – In ALIF procedure, a spine surgeon approaches the spine from the front of the body to remove disc or bone material from in between two adjacent lumbar vertebrae.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) – In PLIF procedure, the patient is made to lie on his/her abdomen and surgery is performed from the back where either an implant is used to fuse the vertebral bones or replace the degenerated disc with an implant.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) – In TLIF method, the surgeon approaches the damaged lumbar spine from the back, or posterior, of the body to place bone graft between two vertebrae.

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion / Direct Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF/DLIF) – Extreme lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF) or direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF) is a surgical procedure in which the patient is made to sleep on his/her side, while surgery is performed from one side of the body. Two incisions will be made, one over the side of the waist and the other towards the back muscles.