New Surgical Method Accesses Lower Lumbar Spine

A new surgical procedure allows easier lateral access to the most common operative level of the lower lumbar spine.

The oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) procedures enable reproducible lateral access to the L5-S1 disc space, eliminating the need to reposition the patient during surgery. The two procedures, OLIF25 and OLIF51, utilize an oblique corridor that is distanced from surrounding muscles, nerves, and vasculature. The two procedures incorporate use of the Medtronic (Minneapolis, MN, USA; www.medtronic.com) comprehensive series of integrated procedural solutions platform, which includes access, interbody, neuromonitoring, navigation, fixation, and biologic options.


The lateral procedures, which enter the surgical sites through the oblique window created, spares muscles, and allows smaller incisions than an anterior operation position. Key elements of the new approach include not only surgical hardware but also the Medtronic O-arm imaging system coupled with the StealthStation image guidance system. The imaging and guidance systems can also be used to navigate pedicle preparation and screw placement.

“For the first time, along with the OLIF25 Procedure, the surgeon community has a combination of procedures that offer an extensile approach to all levels of the lower lumbar spine in one patient positioning,” said spine surgeon Richard Hynes, MD, of The BACK Center (Melbourne, FL, USA).

“With the launch of the OLIF51 Procedure, Medtronic has aligned with expressed needs from the global surgeon community for procedures that require less muscle disruption and enable greater intraoperative efficiencies,” said Doug King, president of Medtronic Spine.

Traditional posterior fusion techniques require the dissection and retraction of back muscles, bones, vessels, ligaments, and nerves; whereas traditional anterior approaches through the abdominal musculature risk injury to major vascular structures such as the aorta and iliac vessels, as well as the very delicate genitourinary structures. The lateral approach enables surgeons to address spinal pathology utilizing dynamic real-time nerve localizing and monitoring techniques, thus minimizing surrounding tissue trauma and maximizing safety and efficacy.

Related Links:
Medtronic