Lateral lumbar interbody fusion is often referred to as extreme lateral (XLIF) or direct lateral interbody fusion (DLIF). The procedure qualifies as minimally invasive back surgery because it is accomplished with one or more small incisions rather than a traditional larger incision. Spine surgeons may recommend DLIF to treat conditions such as lumbar degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, types of lumbar stenosis, or certain recurrent lumbar disc herniations. The lateral approach is not recommended to treat issues at the lowest level of your spine.
The DLIF method involves a standard discectomy (removing the intervertebral disc) and then fusing the lumbar spine. Once the disc material is removed, your surgeon will insert a metal, plastic, or bone spacer between the vertebrae, as well as bone graft material to create an optimal environment for the fusion and bone healing. Back surgeons may also use metal screws, plates, and rods for added support to further stabilize the spine.
X-ray is used to make sure the spacer is in the correct position. Neuromonitoring (electromyography or EMG) is also used to make sure the nerves are not harmed or irritated during surgery.
Some of the advantages of minimally-invasive lateral lumbar fusion include:
Talk to a qualified spinal surgeon like James Leipzig, MD, FACS about lateral lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF or DLIF) or another method for improving your spine health. DLIF is just one of the many surgical and non-surgical procedures offered by Dr. Leipzig.
Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.
