Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and minimally invasive extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion are effective techniques for addressing degenerative lumbar spine disorders, and researchers with New York City-based Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital outlined a 10-step technique for the procedures with navigation assistance.
Five things to know:
1. Researchers described two 10-step workflows for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and minimally invasive extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. The techniques use 3D navigation, expandable interbody cages and single-step navigated pedicle screws to reduce radiation exposure.
2. A total 340 minimally invasive TLIF cases and 10 minimally invasive ELIF procedures completed between 2014 and 2024 were reviewed. Complications only happened in the TLIF group. Revision surgery was needed in 7.1% of the TLIF cases due to adjacent-level disease.
3. The minimally invasive ELIF approach avoided direct canal exposure and showed no complications or revisions in the small group. The median hospital length of stay for ELIF patients was 24 hours, and TLIF patients were 48 hours.
4. Researchers said in their conclusion, “Further refinement of these workflows,
supported by larger cohort studies and long-term outcome evaluations, will be essential for optimizing their clinical applications and advancing patient care in MISS.”
5. Their paper was published in the December, 31 issue of the Journal of Spine Surgery.
