Vascular injury risk stratification for lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) at L4-L5: a morphometric study using magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: Proper vascular injury risk stratification (VIRS) methods for L4-L5 lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) surgery have not been well-described. The objective of this study was to propose a novel VIRS method for L4-L5 LLIF surgery via the transpsoas approach.

Methods: Axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of adult patients were obtained and analyzed.

Freehand Pre-drilling Technique for Lateral Mass Screw Fixation Is More Efficient and Reliable Versus Sequential Drilling Technique: A Sawbone Analysis.

Background Since posterior cervical fixation with lateral mass screws was introduced in 1979, multiple techniques have been described in the literature. However, no study to date has determined whether pre-drilling all lateral masses prior to screw insertion has a benefit over the traditional sequential drilling and screw insertion on the alignment of the screw-rod construct. This study sought to determine the efficacy and efficiency in achieving alignment with a novel pre-drilling technique compared to the traditional sequential drilling technique.