Incidence of graft extrusion following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) has been scrutinized for having a complex learning curve. Careful assessment of MI-TLIF complications and critical analyses of prevention may aid a safe adoption of this technique. The current report focuses on the incidence of interbody cage extrusions following MI-TLIF in a series of 513 patients.

Intraoperative and perioperative complications in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a review of 513 patients.

OBJECT Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has become one of the preferred procedures for circumferential fusion in the lumbar spine. Over the last decade, advances in surgical techniques have enabled surgeons to perform the TLIF procedure through a minimally invasive approach (MI-TLIF). There are a few studies reported in the medical literature in which perioperative complication rates of MI-TLIF were evaluated; here, the authors present the largest cohort series to date.

Efficacy of surgical preparation solutions in lumbar spine surgery.

Background: Postoperative spinal wound infections are relatively common and are often associated with increased morbidity and poor long-term patient outcomes. The purposes of this study were to identify the common bacterial flora on the skin overlying the lumbar spine and evaluate the efficacy of readily available skin-preparation solutions in the elimination of bacterial pathogens from the surgical site following skin preparation.

Methods: A prospective randomized study was undertaken to evaluate 100 consecutive patients undergoing elective lumbar spine surgery.

Minimally invasive discectomy for the treatment of disc herniation causing cauda equina syndrome.

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a condition associated with significant morbidity that requires definitive surgical decompression of the nerve roots to prevent permanent disability. Traditionally, wide open decompression has been advocated to obtain optimal decompression with minimal complications. Some have been reluctant to employ minimally invasive strategies to treat urgent conditions.

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2-induced radiculitis in elective minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions: a series review.

Study Design: Retrospective single center analysis.

Objective: The purpose of our study is to quantify the development of a postoperative radiculitis in our minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion patient population.

Summary Of Background Data: The application of recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP) in spinal surgery has allowed for greater success in spinal fusions.

Minimally invasive lumbar discectomy and foraminotomy.

This article provides an overview of a minimally invasive approach for lumbar discectomy and foraminotomy. The surgical technique is described in detail, and the current literature is reviewed to assess the clinical efficacy of the procedure.

Minimally invasive cervical stenosis decompression.

Cervical stenosis and cervical spondylotic myelopathy are common disorders seen by many spine surgeons. Presentation can range from asymptomatic to myelopathy or myeloradiculopathy to lower extremity and gait problems attributed to lumbar disease. Various surgical procedures are practiced in the surgical management of this disease.

Minimally invasive resection of intradural-extramedullary spinal neoplasms.

Objective: Spinal intradural-extramedullary neoplasms are uncommon lesions that usually cause pain or neurological deficit secondary to neural compression. Traditional treatment of these tumors includes open laminectomy with intradural resection. We describe an alternative minimally invasive surgical technique in a consecutive series of patients undergoing treatment for symptomatic lesions.

Dynamic interspinous process technology.

Study Design: A literature review.

Objectives: To evaluate the mechanisms of action and effectiveness of interspinous distraction devices in managing symptomatic lumbar spinal pathology.

Summary Of Background Data: Fusion operations have traditionally been used to manage many disorders of the lumbar spine related to deformity, pain, or instability.

Anatomy of the sacrum.

One of the basic tenets of performing surgery is knowledge of the relevant anatomy. Surgeons incorporate this knowledge along with factors, such as biomechanics and physiology, to develop their operative approaches and procedures. In the diagnosis and management of sacral tumors, the need to be familiar with the anatomy of the sacrum is no less important than knowledge of the pathological entity involved.

Lateral approach to a neurenteric cyst of the cervical spine: case presentation and review of surgical technique.

Study Design: The lateral cervical spinal approach is illustrated by a case of neurenteric cyst.

Objectives: To present a case of a neurenteric cyst resected the lateral cervical approach, and to review the approach in detail.

Summary Of Background Data: Intradural lesions located anterior to the high cervical spinal cord may present a difficult surgical problem.