Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion
What is Percutaneous Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF) L5-S1?
A new technique uses the advantages of minimally invasive axial access. Percutaneous, paracoccygeal axial fluoroscopically-guided interbody fusion (axiaLIF) combines the interventional concepts of remote access, image guidance, and advanced implant technology.
AxiaLIF capitalizes on the union of well-defined remote access instrumentation and the benign tissue bed of the midline presacral space and dilating an osseous tract through the upper sacrum.
San Antonio Surgical Results
Mean operative time for the LS-Sl axiaLlF procedure was 42 minutes. Mean blood loss 30mL 91 % had radiographic evidence of fusion at last follow-up. Average graft subsidence was 1.6mm. Among the stand-alone group subsidence was 2 mm. Greater graft subsidence was not associated with poorer clinical outcome. Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion
A new technique uses the advantages of minimally invasive axial access. Percutaneous, paracoccygeal axial fluoroscopically-guided interbody fusion (axiaLIF) combines the interventional concepts of remote access, image guidance, and advanced implant technology.
San Antonio Percutaneous Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion (AxiaLIF) Complications
Occasionally, there may be a local infection at the site of the incision. this is treated conservatively with oral antibiotics and should resolve. There are patients reported to have a bowel or rectal injury that may require IV antibiotics and occasionally a temporary diverting colostomy while infection clears. The most common complication is non-union of the graft that may be 5% of these fusions.
Indications for axiaLIF mirror those of traditional posterior fusion at the LS-S1 level. With severe degeneration (Le. bone on bone). axiaLIF is not recommended as sufficient distraction and discectomy may be difficult to achieve. Also, patients with previous retroperitoneal surgery should not undergo axiaLIF as the presacral corridor may be scarred down. The technique is important because it allows the implantation of biomechanically sound implants without the morbidity encountered in open surgery or other types of minimally invasive posterolateral surgery. This muscle-sparing and annular preserving approach will mitigate postoperative pain, speed healing, eliminate postoperative scarring, and avoid problems encountered with annulus removal.
