title: Laparoscopic spinal fusion.
abstract: We have reviewed the history of laparoscopic fusions and our results over the past two years, utilizing a femoral ring allograft and bone graft in 51 patients. The rate of fusion in this series is nearly 100%, with relief of radicular pain in about 90%. The average hospital stay is approximately two days and return to work is about six weeks. Minimally invasive techniques for spinal surgery will evolve with time and will become the standard of care in the near future.
authors.affiliation: Howard County General Hospital, Columbia, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mathur
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Mess
mesh_terms: D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome