Lali Sekhon, MD, of Sierra Neurosurgery Group, was the first physician in northern Nevada to perform an oblique lumbar interbody fusion.
The minimally invasive procedure allows surgeons to place an interbody graft into the spinal canal through the oblique approach, which minimizes nerve, bone and muscle damage. The procedure differs from the eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion by reducing the risk of psoas muscle injury.
Dr. Sekhon performed the procedure at Renown Regional Medical Center and the patient was discharged within 24 hours. The procedure took 90 minutes.
"The patient had chronic back pain for many years and had failed all conservative therapies," said Dr. Sekhon. "She had one bad disc that was not only causing pain but scoliosis as well. The OLIF25 proved to be a great option for her and I am very happy we were able to pursue a less invasive option than more traditional surgeries."