title: Laparoscopic assisted spine surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evaluation of the technical aspects and clinical outcome of laparoscopic assisted interbody fusion (LAIF) using the BAK technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  17 patients with chronic low back pain due to degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and L4-L5 were treated with LAIF using the BAK technique. Surgical time, blood loss and intraoperative problems were assessed. The short-term clinical and radiological outcome was measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The technical part of the procedure depends on a learning curve. However, in collaboration with a laparoscopic surgeon no complications related to the technique occurred. The limits of the technique are due to the anatomical situation at the L4-L5 level. 14/17 patients had an improvement in their lower back pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique of LAIF is demanding. The L5-S1 level can be addressed with ease; however, transabdominal fusion of L4-L5 is not recommended. Patient selection remains the keystone. LAIF is the least invasive measure in order to stabilize and fuse a motion segment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Heini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krähenbühl
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schwarzenbach
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lottenbach
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*