title: Minimally disruptive decompression and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Posterior spinal procedures through tubular exposures have been described. However, tubes restrain visibility and require co-axial instrument manipulation, increasing difficulty and potentially compromising surgical results. An independent-blade retractor system overcomes the obstacles of working through a tube and has been used to perform minimally-disruptive decompression and instrumented tranforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the advantages to patient recovery and surgical efficacy of this technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retrospective review of technique employing a minimally-disruptive approach to decompression and transforaminal lumber interbody fusion (TLIF).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minimally-disruptive decompression and instrumented TLIF can be performed in a safe and effective manner using an independent-blade retractor system. Relative to traditional-open techniques, surgical goals can be accomplished, but with the benefits of minimally-disruptive surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, University of California, San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Dr., #8893, San Diego, CA 92103-8893, USA. bozgur@ucsd.edu
authors.forename: Burak M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ozgur
authors.forename: Samuel A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: Lissa C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D018579:Patient Selection; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome