title: Is laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion a useful minimally invasive procedure?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic anterior lumbar interbody fusion (LALIF) has been demonstrated to be safe and effective. Its use as a standard surgical technique has been recommended for arthrodesis in the lumbosacral region. We reviewed our experience with LALIF for safety, effectiveness, and usefulness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 14 patients who underwent LALIF was performed. All patients had a diagnosis of degenerative disc disease with medically retractable mechanical back pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No intraoperative vascular or neurological injury was encountered. An average operating time of 300 minutes with blood loss of 60 ml was found. The average hospital stay was 3.4 days. At 3 to 6 months after surgery, 80% fusion rates were achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although LALIF is a safe and effective procedure, it has many disadvantages, which make it a less than optimal procedure for routine use. Other minimally invasive approaches to the anterior lumbar spine result in similar beneficial results without the drawbacks associated with LALIF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Ondra
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelos
authors.forename: Aruna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganju
authors.forename: Misty L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Landers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome