MIS TLIF Learning Curve: A Spine Surgeon’s Journey

Steve J. Fineberg, MD, and Kern Singh, MD, partnered with researchers Sreeharsha Nandyala and Miguel Pelton to conduct a study on the learning curve for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion that was published recently in The Spine Journal.

Advertisement

The researchers examined the first 100 consecutive cases of MIS TLIF for the senior author. The patients undergoing revision or multilevel surgeries were excluded, leaving 65 consecutive patients. The researchers compared the first 33 cases with the last 32 patients to evaluate the learning curve.

 

The researchers found:

 

•    Longer duration of anesthesia for the first group;
•    More estimated blood loss in the first group;
•    Two cases of complications in the first cohort of radiographic pseudarthrosis;
•    Two cases of pseudarthrosis and one case of early surgical site infection in the second group;
•    A negative correlation between surgical date and time, estimated blood loss, duration of anesthesia and intravenous fluids using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

 

As a result, the researchers concluded MIS TLIF is “technically difficult,” although operative time and proficiency improved with understanding the technique.

 

More Articles on Spine Surgery:
How to Apply Data for Better, Cost-Effective Spine care: Spotlight on Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Dr. William Abdu
Spine Surgeon Roundtable: Where Research & Reimbursements Are Headed
19 Spine Devices Receive FDA 510(k) Clearance in November

At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.

Register to Attend Webinar

Is ambulatory care healthcare’s big margin engine? 4 leaders weigh in

Wednesday, July 29
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT

Presenters: Joe Ganley, athenahealthJeffrey Flynn, CASC, Gramercy Surgery CenterBryan Tsao, Access Center, Loma Linda University HealthJason Zepeda, Northridge Hospital Medical Center, CommonSpirit HealthGreg DeConciliis, PA-C, CASC, Boston Out­Patient Surgical Suites

Advertisement

Next Up in Spine

Advertisement

Comments are closed.