The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine demonstrated the effectiveness of prone, single-position lateral interbody fusion in a study with NuVasive's MaXcess retractor, according to an Oct. 5 news release.
Three things to know:
1. The study evaluated prone, single-position lateral interbody fusion in 12 patients. In cadaveric specimens, eight levels were treated without any visceral, vascular or endplate violations.
2. Eleven patients were successfully treated with the novel approach, with no endplate violations or resultant subsidence. One patient was converted to a single-position lateral interbody fusion procedure without incident.
3. Researchers found that prone positioning is a safe and reproducible procedure that can reduce operative time.
A lateral approach to prone positioning can streamline "surgical access to the lumbar spine" and improve efficiency "with potential clinical and economic advantages for certain patients," said Juan Uribe, MD, chief of the division of spinal disorders at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix.