New Technique for Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion

A new surgical technique for spinal fusion is designed to reduce the size of the incision as well as the resulting scarring, pain, and recovery time. The technique was introduced at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons in Chicago (IL, USA).

Lumbar spinal fusions are performed to treat conditions such as degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis, or misaligned vertebrae. The pain, recovery time, and rehabilitation are very much affected by the amount of muscle damage incurred during the procedure. The new technique uses a mechanical arc device that delivers a rod and screws to rigidly fixate adjoining vertebrae through small skin incisions with minimal cutting or stripping of the muscles from the spine. Called the CD Horizon Sextant System, the technique was developed by Medtronic Sofamor Danek (Memphis, TN, USA) in collaboration with Dr. Kevin Foley, associate professor of neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee.

"The CD Horizon Sextant System is to spinal fusion surgery what arthroscopy is to knee surgery and laparoscopy is to gallbladder surgery,” said Dr. Foley, "We're seeing hospital stays reduced to two or three days, versus the typical week-long hospital stay, because the operation causes so much less trauma than traditional surgery.”




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