CURRENT ROLE OF ANTERIOR LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION IN LUMBAR SPINE DISORDERS

The number of patients with degenerative disease of the lumbar spine being treated with interbody fusion has increased dramatically over that last decade. A posterior exposure has been the primary approach of choice for neurosurgeons in the past, but, with the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, anterior techniques have become more popular. Although there are risks associated with the anterior technique, the advantages of this method over posterior lumbar interbody fusion are considerable. This article reviews the “mini” open anterior lumbar interbody fusion and emphasizes important lessons we have learned through our experience with our last sixty cases