Inspired Spine, a Minnesota-based advanced minimally invasive spine surgery technology developer, conducted a study on minimally invasive direct lateral interbody fusion of the lumbar spine.
Nine patients participated in the study, which tested the efficacy and safety of the MIS-DLIF approach. Surgeons performed the procedure on 15 spinal levels in patients who did not experience relief withconservative therapy for a re-herniated disc, spondylolisthesis or other lumbar spine disc condition.
Cureus published the findings.
Here are seven observations:
1. Surgeons performed the MIS-DLIF procedure in an average of 44 minutes for one level and 85 minutes for two levels.
2. For one level, patients experienced 54 ml of blood loss, while two-level patients had 112 ml of blood loss.
3. The study found one-level patients experienced 0.3 days of hospital stay and two-level patients experienced 1.7 days.
4. Out of the nine patients, four were discharged within two hours to four hours post-operation.
5. The researchers noted no clinically significant complications.
6. The patients noted a 4.5 point decrease on a 10-point sliding pain scale, at more than 90 days post-surgery.
7. The study authors labeled MIS-DLIF with pedicle screw fixation as a safe and effective procedure for lumbar spinal fusions: "The procedure overcomes many of the limitations of the current minimally invasive approaches to the lumbar spine and is technically straightforward."