[A new minimally invasive approach to interior lumbal spine fusion]

Abstract

The authors are presenting results on minimally-invasive laparoscopic approach to obtain anterior fusion of the lumbar spine on group of 62 patients. 12 patients had to have a conversion to open procedure. 50 patients were included in the follow up and evaluated in average 22 months after surgery. The advantages of the approach were documented by good overall rating of the procedure by the patients themselves, low blood loss, short hospital stay and high fusion rate. More than 50 % of patients had previously at least one spine surgery. The endoscopic retroperitoneal gasless approach (BERG) is very convenient as it enables surgery without gas insuflation in space large enough to treat as many as 3 spine levels at the same time. Key words: anterior interbody lumbar fusion, laparoscopic, minimally-invasive surgery.