Microscopic Anterior Neural Decompression Combined with Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion—A Technical Note

• Published in: World neurosurgery 2019-01, Vol.121, p.37-43
• Main Authors: Chachan, Sourabh, Bae, Junseok, Lee, Sang-Ho, Suk, Ju-Wan, Shin, Sang-Ha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Direct neural decompression; Microscopic decompression; Oblique lumbar interbody fusion
• ISSN: 1878-8750; 1878-8769
• DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.09.146

Minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) techniques generally rely on deformity correction to achieve indirect neural decompression. However, indirect neural decompression will not always be sufficient. Thus, a second procedure, such as posterior direct decompression, will be added for full decompression, increasing the surgical morbidity and healthcare costs. We have described a technique of direct anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF. We report our surgical technique of anterior lumbar neural microscopic decompression with OLIF with patients in the lateral position. We also report the cases of 3 patients treated from March 2018 to June 2018. Three patients underwent anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF in the lateral position. All 3 patients achieved clinically and radiologically significant neural decompression and deformity correction. No perioperative complications developed. Direct anterior microscopic neural decompression is feasible and safe in selected patients undergoing OLIF. •Direct anterior microscopic neural decompression is feasible in cases undergoing anterior oblique lumbar interbody fusion.•However, the surgeon should be sufficiently experienced to employ this technique in properly selected cases.•The postoperative clinical results are satisfactory.