Michael Shapiro, MD, chief orthopedic spine surgeon at South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, N.Y., recently spoke about performing XLIF alongside UFC Fighter Nate Quarry, who underwent the procedure from another surgeon in 2006, according to a Long Island News report.
To perform the XLIF, surgeons make a small incision, inserts the instruments and guides the tubular dilators into a safe position, according to the report. Nerve monitoring technology is used to make sure the tubes are in place, and then a tissue retractor is used to help provide visibility for the disc space. Then, the surgeon makes a hole in the outer annulus and removes cartilage from the ends of the vertebra to reveal the bone surface and make room for the fusion. Finally, the surgeon places a stabilizing implant into the space and restores the proper disc height and support.
Mr. Quarry said he was walking within 24 hours of the procedure and returned to the ring after making a full recovery.
Read the Long Island News report on Dr. Michael Shapiro performing XLIF.
Read other coverage on spine surgery:
- Study: XLIF a Safe, Cost-Saving Spinal Procedure
- Study Shows Minimally Invasive Spine Decompression Effective for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Study: Stand-Alone Anterior Carbon I/F Cage for ALIF a Safe Procedure
To perform the XLIF, surgeons make a small incision, inserts the instruments and guides the tubular dilators into a safe position, according to the report. Nerve monitoring technology is used to make sure the tubes are in place, and then a tissue retractor is used to help provide visibility for the disc space. Then, the surgeon makes a hole in the outer annulus and removes cartilage from the ends of the vertebra to reveal the bone surface and make room for the fusion. Finally, the surgeon places a stabilizing implant into the space and restores the proper disc height and support.
Mr. Quarry said he was walking within 24 hours of the procedure and returned to the ring after making a full recovery.
Read the Long Island News report on Dr. Michael Shapiro performing XLIF.
Read other coverage on spine surgery:
- Study: XLIF a Safe, Cost-Saving Spinal Procedure
- Study Shows Minimally Invasive Spine Decompression Effective for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Study: Stand-Alone Anterior Carbon I/F Cage for ALIF a Safe Procedure