ABSTRACT
@#Objective To introduce extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) as a new minimally inva-sire spinal surgery with established correction and fusion methods to assess its clinic use for degenerative scoliosis. It is emphasized the value and highlight of this technique in spinal surgery. Methods Surgical treatment of 8 patients with degenerative scoliosis were performed with XLIF between March 2006 and April 2008. In this group of patients, 5 cases provided an anterior cage in every disc space, and another 3 supplemented with vertebrae screw fixation. Blood loss was 50 ml every procedure. To observe the low back pain, corrective rate, achieving a balanced and complications. Results The low back pain have been relieved in all patienta after operations, the disc height can be restored, allowing more room at the foraminal level for nerve roots, and lumber lordosis can be maintained. Corrective rate was 64%, there wasn't neurologic and vascular injury, 2 case had correction loss a little postoperation 6-30 month. Conclusion The potential benefits of XLIF include safe, effective, less approach-related blood loss, improved cosmetic result with smaller incisions, and reduced hospital stay for degenerative scoliosis.