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Spondylolisthesis pp 163–178Cite as

Surgical Techniques: Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

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Abstract

The posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) was first described by Cloward in 1953. As the procedure has gained more popularity over the past several decades, studies reporting fusion rates have been high. The introduction of pedicle screw instrumentation and concomitant posterolateral fusion with bone grafting makes the likelihood of successful fusion of combined PLIF and posterolateral instrumentation extremely high. The PLIF is performed from a true direct posterior angle, retracting the dura and preserving part of the facet joint. There is a significant risk of complications with the PLIF procedure and careful surgical technique should be adhered to in order to minimize these risks. The transforaminal interbody fusion (TLIF) was introduced by Harms as an adaptation of the PLIF, has similar indications, and is designed primarily to decrease the amount of dural retraction necessary during the discectomy and interbody cage insertion. This chapter will discuss the indications for PLIF, including deciding between the PLIF and other interbody fusion techniques, the surgical technique, and complications of the procedure and their management.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Hawthorne, NY, USA

    Louis F. Amorosa M.D.

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Rothman Institute, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 925 Chestnut Street 5th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Jeffrey A. Rihn M.D.

  3. Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 E 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Todd J. Albert M.D.

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  1. Louis F. Amorosa M.D.
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  2. Jeffrey A. Rihn M.D.
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  3. Todd J. Albert M.D.
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Correspondence to Louis F. Amorosa M.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, New York, USA

    Adam L. Wollowick

  2. Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA

    Vishal Sarwahi

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Amorosa, L.F., Rihn, J.A., Albert, T.J. (2015). Surgical Techniques: Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. In: Wollowick, A., Sarwahi, V. (eds) Spondylolisthesis. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7575-1_13

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