Valentin Quack, Jörg Eschweiler, Christina Prechtel, Filippo Migliorini, Marcel Betsch, Nicola Maffulli, Natalia Gutteck, Markus Tingart, Philipp Kobbe, Miguel Pishnamaz, Frank Hildebrand, Dariusch Arbab
INTRODUCTION: Potential advantages of the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) approach are smaller incisions, preserving anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, lower blood loss, shorter operative time, avoiding vascular and visceral complications, and shorter length of stay. We hypothesize that not every patient can be safely treated at the L4/5 level using the XLIF approach. The objective of this study was to radiographically (CT-scan) evaluate the accessibility of the L4/5 level using a lateral approach, considering defined safe working zones and taking into account the anatomy of the superior iliac crest...
November 11, 2022: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research