cooling tips

The A-L-I-F is defined as Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
This approach requires a 4-6” incision in the abdomen to access one or two levels.
The surgeon works around the great vessels to access the anterior longitudinal ligament.
The ligament must be removed to access the disc.
The surgeon can then remove the diseased disc nucleus to prepare the vertebral bodies for fusion.
After the disc is prepared, a biocompatible polymer implant is filled with bone graft material and placed in the disc
space.
With an A-L-I-F implant, the surgeon may choose to add an anterior plate to replace the anterior ligament and
prevent movement of the implant.
This procedure is normally accompanied by a posterior fixation with pedicle screws or facet screws
The implant maintains the spacing of the vertebrae while the fusion takes place.
After the fusion is completed and a solid bone mass forms; the two vertebrae are joined together.

The O-L-L-I-F is defined as “Oblique Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion”
To access the disc with O-L-L-I-F a specific zone is used - Kambin's triangle.
Kambin's triangle is a triangular space free of significant vascular and neural structures that allows safe access to
a lumbar disc in microdiskectomy.
First, a small probe is placed via tiny skin incision.
Then a taper 9mm dilator.
Next a small 10mm portal.
This portal protects the skin, muscles, and nerves while the diseased disc is removed and a bone graft material is
placed through it.
After the disc is prepared, the biocompatible polymer implant is filled with bone graft material and placed in the
disc space.
This procedure is normally accompanied by a posterior fixation with pedicle screws system.
The implant maintains the spacing of the vertebrae while the fusion takes place.
After the fusion is completed a solid bone mass forms and two vertebrae are joined together.
The maximum skin incision is smaller than a dime.
Compared to traditional spinal fusion procedures, the O-L-L-I-F is a less invasive surgical approach. Patients are
treated more effectively without long recovery times.