Endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Abstract

Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) in particular has proved an effective therapy for a variety of pathologies. As the field of neurosurgery advanced, new and better surgical approaches were developed to reduce the morbidity and complications associated with this procedure. Of the major LIF approaches today, the transforminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is one of the least invasive paths to the spine, avoiding several potential pitfalls of other LIF techniques. However, even though the minimally invasive surgical transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) bypasses the abdominal structures at risk with an anterior approach (ALIF) and the neural stress seen in a posterior approach (PLIF), it still requires an open muscular dissection, and thus faces the complications of any open procedure. Therefore, there have been efforts to further reduce the surgical trauma and exposure of the MIS-TLIF. To this end, an endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion protocol is described here. This chapter details the indications/contraindications, surgical technique, outcomes, and postoperative care of patients undergoing this procedure.