TLIF Lumbar fusion is a surgical technique in order to fuse the spine through a posterolateral approach. It provides support for the anterior spine avoiding complications of other techniques, both from the anterior approach and through the canal such as in PLIF.
It only requires a unilateral approach through resection of the facet articular complex, preserving the rest of the more medial and contralateral structures.
Indications
TLIF Lumbar fusion is a procedure for cases of spondylolisthesis, syndrome of discogenic pain, post-discectomy syndromes, pseudoarthrosis after posterolateral arthrodesis, and in degenerative or adult scoliosis.
Contraindications
The absolute contraindications are the presence of an active infection, destruction of the vertebral plates and the epidural scar.
Procedure
First, an anesthesiologist will put you to sleep so you don’t feel any pain. Once you are under general anaesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision, and removes the paravertebral muscles to enter into the vertebrae. This involves separating the muscle from the bone.
The route of entry is posterolateral. Another difference is that it goes a little more sideways than the posterior approach. In the PLIF technique, the surgeon enters into the spine from behind, and then removes the lamina that is the bone in the posterior area of the vertebra, in a TLIF, it is not necessary to remove the lamina bone. Then the specialist places implants between the two vertebral bodies. In TLIF surgery, only on one side needs to be entered. TLIF is much less invasive than the PLIF technique.
When the surgeon gets into the disc, he removes it and places a box along with a graft between the two vertebral bodies. The specialist places the bone graft with the box. This allows both vertebrae to fuse as time goes.
As we previously did with the PLIF technique, everything is held in place by placing pedicle screws in the vertebra above and below. Two bars are placed (one on each side) attached to the screws to immobilize the operated segment. Finally, grafting is also added in this area to provide greater chances of getting arthrodesis.
Advantages of TLIF Lumbar fusion
Transforaminal access has some advantages. For instance, it avoids vascular complications that can occur with the anterior route.
You might also want to read: What is an ALIF Lumbar Fusion?
It is less invasive than the PLIF technique. Therefore, it has fewer neurological complications than other approaches.
At the London Spine Unit, we have some of the best specialists to perform Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Book an appointment to get an assessment.
Other links
What are the benefits of Lumbar Fusion?
3 hours after L5/S1 Lumbar Decompression + Stabilisation
2 Hours after Lumbar Decompression and Stabilisation Surgery
What is Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)?
It is a surgical technique in order to fuse the spine through a posterolateral approach. It provides support for the anterior spine avoiding complications of other techniques, both from the anterior approach and through the canal such as in PLIF.
What are the indications of TLIF?
TLIF Lumbar fusion is a procedure for cases of spondylolisthesis, syndrome of discogenic pain, post-discectomy syndromes, pseudoarthrosis after posterolateral arthrodesis, and in degenerative or adult scoliosis.
What are the contraindications of TLIF?
The absolute contraindications are the presence of an active infection, destruction of the vertebral plates and the epidural scar.
What are the advantages of TLIF?
Transforaminal access has some advantages. For instance, it avoids vascular complications that can occur with the anterior route. It is less invasive than the PLIF technique. Therefore, it has fewer neurological complications than other approaches.
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