Lateral lumbar interbody fusion

Abstract

Minimally invasive lateral retroperitoneal transpsoas approach for lumbar interbody fusion is the fastest growing type of minimally invasive spinal fusion in the United States. We prefer to perform the psoas dissection under direct visualization, in order to protect sensory nerves not detected by neuromonitoring, and insert the widest cage possible, typically 22 mm. We use either lateral plating or posterior percutaneous instrumentation to increase stability and maximize fusion rates.