Surgical Approach to Posttraumatic Thoracic Kyphosis
Background Each year in the United States, approximately 150,000 to 170,000 people sustain spinal column fractures; most of these will be caused by trauma, and such injuries can lead to…
Lumbar Facet Screw Fixation Techniques
Overview The technique for ipsilateral lumbar transfacet fixation (ILTF) was first described by King in 1948. It was modified in 1959 by Boucher, who reported the results of transfacet fixation…
Percutaneous and Endoscopic Diskectomy
Overview The understanding of preserving normal tissues to achieve surgical goals drives surgeons to adapt to minimally invasive spine surgery. The current posterior microscopic lumbar diskectomy is still considered a…
Surgical Anatomy and Operative Techniques of Lumbar Stenosis
General Considerations Degenerative spine disease, or spondylosis, affects everyone—the infirm and the healthy, the sedentary and the athletic, the young and the old. Spondylosis occurs throughout the spine but is…
Surgical Stabilization Techniques for Thoracolumbar Fractures
Classifications of Spinal Fractures Historical Review The classification, management, surgical approaches, and stabilization techniques for thoracolumbar fractures have been undergoing continuous evolution over the past few decades. Appropriate classification of…
Posterior and Posterolateral Approaches to the Lumbar Spine
Overview The posterior approach is undoubtedly the most utilized approach in all of spine surgery. It remains the workhorse for exposure of the entire spine, from occiput to sacrum, during…
Transpedicular Screw Fixation: Open and Percutaneous Techniques
Overview Although earlier reports described the use of small facet screws to facilitate spinal fusion, it was Roy-Camille, in 1970, who promoted the use of the pedicle as a point…
Surgical Decompression and Stabilization for Lumbar Lesions: Osteomyelitis and Tumors
Overview Surgical management of neoplastic and infectious lesions of the lumbar spine involves extensive preoperative planning to ensure proper patient selection and operative approach. Despite the differences in patient selection…
Lumbar Microdiskectomy: Midline Open and Far-Lateral Techniques
Overview History Mixter and Barr first provided the description of a herniated disk causing sciatica in 1934. The surgical technique outlined the treatment of lumbar disk herniation at that time,…
Anterior Retroperitoneal Approach to the Lumbar Spine
Overview Anterior lumbar spinal surgery has been performed in various forms for decades. Müller described an anterior approach to the lumbar spine as early as 1906, and the anterior approach…
