Summary of Key Points Endoscopic surgery of the lumbar spine is an advanced form of minimally invasive surgery that is gaining worldwide popularity. Several studies have shown endoscopic surgery of the lumbar spine to be just as effective as and…
Summary of Key Points Fully endoscopic surgical approaches to the cervical spine include anterior and posterior approaches. Anterior endoscopic cervical spine surgery approaches include anterior cervical discectomy and anterior transcorporal discectomy. Posterior endoscopic cervical spine surgery approaches include posterior cervical…
Summary of Key Points The fundamentals of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques involve minimal muscle dissection and soft tissue trauma, and avoidance of detachment of the osteoligamentous structures, which may help preserve stabilizing structures; while reducing operative time, blood loss,…
Summary of Key Points Minimally invasive spine surgery has gained popularity. It may be used for decompression and stabilization of all segments of the spine and spinal cord. The evolution of minimally invasive spine techniques includes more historical surgical approaches,…
Summary of Key Points Lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) has been studied extensively since its initial use in the 1980s in Europe. Results of long-term follow-up studies in Europe as well as multiple prospective, randomized trials in the United States…
Summary of Key Points Semirigid spine stabilization system refers to a class of spinal fixation strategies that promote segmental load-sharing while controlling abnormal motion, thereby theoretically reducing the risk of adjacent level degeneration and pseudoarthrosis. Semirigid systems may be subdivided…
Summary of Key Points In minimal access surgery, there is a temptation to rely more on fluoroscopy than direct visualization of the pedicle screw entry point. Such reliance quickly drives an upsurge in radiation exposure. The “mini-open” approach allows direct…
Summary of Key Points Traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion techniques allow direct neural decompression and placement of interbody graft bilaterally or unilaterally and the use of pedicle screws, but are associated with increased length of stay, blood loss, and postoperative…
Summary of Key Points Dorsally applied universal spinal instrumentation (USI) systems increases the rate of bony fusion after surgery for traumatic, neoplastic, or degenerative conditions of the spine. Various biomechanical forces and properties imparted by thoracic and lumbar spinal implants…
Summary of Key Points The technique of posterolateral fusion is an essential part of a surgeon’s armamentarium. Meticulous preparation of the fusion bed and placement of bone graft are important intraoperative steps for a successful fusion. Pseudoarthrosis is a significant…