Open Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
• The initial exposure should involve subperiosteal dissection of the muscle to the facet joint. • Resection of the facet capsule and exposure of the superior articular process (caudad vertebra)…
• The initial exposure should involve subperiosteal dissection of the muscle to the facet joint. • Resection of the facet capsule and exposure of the superior articular process (caudad vertebra)…
• Typical lateral positioning of the patient. • The dilator has been docked over the pathologic vertebral body. The psoas is retracted posteriorly. • A high speed burr is used…
• Rib exposure. The anterior and posterior margins of the vertebral body to be resected are marked using fluoroscopy. The overlying rib is subperiosteally exposed. • The inferior portion of…
• Biplanar fluoroscopy is used throughout the procedure. • The starting position for the cannula should be at the 10 o’clock or 2 o’clock position of the pedicle (superior-lateral corner…
• Exposure of the hemilamina. • The high-speed burr is used to remove the lamina. • Detachment of the ligamentum flavum from the superior L4 lamina. • Undercutting the ipsalateral…
• A midline posterior cervical exposure is performed. • Care is taken not to strip the facet capsule. • Only the medial portion of the lamina/facet junction is exposed. • …
• Meticulous dissection should be performed with the inferior 3–5 mm of the inferior facet osteotomized. The base of the superior articular process is a key landmark for entry into…
• Before the corpectomy is begun, the disk space above and below the vertebral body to be resected is clearly exposed. • The uncovertebral margin is the most reliable reference…
Anterior Lumbar • The patient is positioned with his or her arms across the chest. This allows for the c-arm to be moved cephalad in the field. A lateral c…
• A midline posterior approach is utilized, with dissection performed through the avascular ligamentum nuchae. • Subperiosteal exposure is performed, extending out to the lateral edge of the lateral mass….