title: Relationship of the lumbar plexus branches to the lumbar spine: anatomical study with application to lateral approaches.
abstract: Injuries to the lumbar plexus during lateral approaches to the spine are not uncommon and may result in permanent deficits. However, the literature contains few studies that provide landmarks for avoiding the branches of the lumbar plexus.
  
  
  
  The present anatomical study was performed to elucidate the course of these nerves in relation to lateral approaches to the lumbar spine.
  
  
  
  This is a quantitative anatomical cadaveric study.
  
  
  
  The lumbar plexus and its branches were dissected on 12 cadaveric sides. Metal wires were laid on the nerves along their paths on the posterior abdominal wall. Fluoroscopy was performed in the anteroposterior and lateral positions. The relationships between regional bony landmarks and the branches of the lumbar plexus were observed.
  
  
  
  When viewed laterally, the greatest concentration of nerves occurred from the posteroinferior aspect of L4, inferior along the posterior one-third of the body of L5, then at the level of the sacral promontory. On the basis of our study, approaches to the anterior two-thirds of the L4 vertebra and anterior third of L5 will result in the lowest chance of lumbar plexus nerve injury. In addition, lateral muscle dissection through the psoas major should be in a superior to inferior direction in order to minimize nerve injury. Laterally, the widest corridor between branches in the abdominal wall was between the subcostal and iliohypogastric nerves.
  
  
  
  The findings of our cadaveric study provide surgeons who approach the lateral lumbar spine with data that could decrease injuries to the branches of the lumbar plexus, thus lessening patient morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave Suite 600, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: shanet@seattlesciencefoundation.org.
authors.forename: Richard Isaiah
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Tubbs
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gabel
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Shiveindra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jeyamohan
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moisi
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Jens R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: R David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Hanscom
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, True Blue Campus, 011, Grenada.
authors.forename: Marios
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loukas
authors.affiliation: Swedish Neuroscience Institute, 500 17th Ave Suite 500, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, 550 17th Ave Suite 600, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Richard Shane
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery; D016658:Psoas Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Anatomical; Complications; Nerve injury; Neuropathy; Spinal surgery; XLIF