Advances in oblique lateral interbody fusion / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is a new technique in spine surgery,through oblique lateral retroperitoneal approach,it can establish a work corridor direct access to the intervertebral space between the psoas muscles and the abdominal vessels sheath.Through the retroperitoneal work corridor,OLIF can complete intervertebral fusion of anterior and middle column,restore the height of intervertebral space and foramen,and make the spinal canal or nerve root indirect-decompression.OLIF is applicable to degenerative lumbar spine diseases,spinal tuberculosis,tumor,kyphosis,postoperative renovation,trauma,etc.OLIF conforms to the current trend of minimally invasive spinal surgery,which has many advantages like less surgical trauma,less surgical bleeding loss,shorter hospital stay,faster recovery,less damage to the abdominal organs,no stimulation of the spinal nerve,and less damage to the psoas and lumbosacral plexus.Although OLIF has theoretically great advantages,the postoperative hip flexion weakness,the groin and thigh area pain and numbness,contralateral nerve injury and other complications are often reported,notwithstanding the complications are considered to be related to long time psoas compression which results in the psoas and lumbosacral plexus injury,large fusion device implantation which leads to contralateral nerve root injury and so on.The primary cause is that the surgeon blindly pursues new technology with lack of knowledge about the new technology,as well as indications and contraindications,the anatomy of the working area,the details of the surgical operation,etc,causing complications associated with technology or access.Further understanding of the OLIF operation process,including mastering the local anatomy and grasping the surgical indications and contraindications is essential for successful application of OLIF technology to treat various lumbar disorders.