The authors have no acknowledgments.

This study was reviewed and approved by the Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital ethics committee, and written informed consent was obtained from all the patients. In addition, no images are identifiable to any patients.
1. Preoperative preparation
<ol>
	<li>Select appropriate cases based on the patient history, including symptoms, signs, history of previous lumbar and abdominal surgery, abdominal examination, and imaging, such as lumbar X-ray, computed tomogra...

<ol>
	<li>O'Brien, J. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+fusion+for+chronic+low+back+pain.">The role of fusion for chronic low back pain.</a> The Orthopedic Clinics of North America. 14 (3), 639-647 (1983).</li><li>Cho, J. Y., Goh, T. S., Son, S. M., Kim, D. S., Lee, J. S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+anterior+approach+and+posterior+approach+to+instrumented+interbody+fusion+for+spondylolisthesis:+A+meta-analysis.">Comparison of anterior approach and posterior approach to instrumented interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis: A meta-analysis.</a> World Neurosurgery. 129, e286-e293 (2019).</li><li>Min, J. H., Jang, J. S., Lee, S. H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+anterior-+and+posterior-approach+instrumented+lumbar+interbody+fusion+for+spondylolisthesis.">Comparison of anterior- and posterior-approach instrumented lumbar interbody fusion for spondylolisthesis.</a> Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine. 7 (1), 21-26 (2007).</li><li>Choy, W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Risk+factors+for+medical+and+surgical+complications+following+single-level+ALIF.">Risk factors for medical and surgical complications following single-level ALIF.</a> Global Spine Journal. 7 (2), 141-147 (2017).</li><li>Amaral, R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stand-alone+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion+-+Complications+and+perioperative+results.">Stand-alone anterior lumbar interbody fusion - Complications and perioperative results.</a> Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia. 52 (5), 569-574 (2017).</li><li>H&#228;rtl, R., Joeris, A., McGuire, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparison+of+the+safety+outcomes+between+two+surgical+approaches+for+anterior+lumbar+fusion+surgery:+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion+(ALIF)+and+extreme+lateral+interbody+fusion+(ELIF).">Comparison of the safety outcomes between two surgical approaches for anterior lumbar fusion surgery: anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and extreme lateral interbody fusion (ELIF).</a> European Spine Journal. 25 (5), 1484-1521 (2016).</li><li>Richter, M., Weidenfeld, M., Uckmann, F. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion.+Indications,+technique,+advantages+and+disadvantages.">Anterior lumbar interbody fusion. Indications, technique, advantages and disadvantages.</a> Der Orthopde. 44 (2), 154-161 (2015).</li><li>Zdeblick, T. A., David, S. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+prospective+comparison+of+surgical+approach+for+anterior+L4-L5+fusion:+laparoscopic+versus+mini+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion.">A prospective comparison of surgical approach for anterior L4-L5 fusion: laparoscopic versus mini anterior lumbar interbody fusion.</a> Spine. 25 (20), 2682-2687 (2000).</li><li>Wert, W. G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Identifying+risk+factors+for+complications+during+exposure+for+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion.">Identifying risk factors for complications during exposure for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.</a> Cureus. 13 (7), e16792 (2021).</li><li>Michael, M. H., Karsten, W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microsurgical+anterior+approaches+to+the+lumbar+spine+for+interbody+fusion+and+total+disc+replacement.">Microsurgical anterior approaches to the lumbar spine for interbody fusion and total disc replacement.</a> Neurosurgery. 51, 159-165 (2002).</li><li>Aebi, M., Steffen, T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Synframe:+A+preliminary+report.">Synframe: A preliminary report.</a> European Spine Journal. 9 (1), S044-S050 (2000).</li><li>Momin, A. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exploring+perioperative+complications+of+anterior+lumber+interbody+fusion+in+patients+with+a+history+of+prior+abdominal+surgery:+A+retrospective+cohort+study.">Exploring perioperative complications of anterior lumber interbody fusion in patients with a history of prior abdominal surgery: A retrospective cohort study.</a> The Spine Journal. 20 (7), 1037-1043 (2020).</li><li>Brau, S. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mini-open+approach+to+the+spine+for+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion:+description+of+the+procedure,+results+and+complications.">Mini-open approach to the spine for anterior lumbar interbody fusion: description of the procedure, results and complications.</a> The Spine Journal. 2 (3), 216-223 (2002).</li><li>Brau, S. A., Delamarter, R. B., Schiffman, M. L., Williams, L. A., Watkins, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+injury+during+anterior+lumbar+surgery.">Vascular injury during anterior lumbar surgery.</a> The Spine Journal. 4 (4), 409-412 (2004).</li><li>Westfall, S. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exposure+of+the+anterior+spine.+Technique,+complications,+and+results+in+85+patients.">Exposure of the anterior spine. Technique, complications, and results in 85 patients.</a> American Journal of Surgery. 154 (6), 700-704 (1987).</li><li>Jasani, V., Jaffray, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+anatomy+of+the+iliolumbar+vein.+A+cadaver+study.">The anatomy of the iliolumbar vein. A cadaver study.</a> The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. British Volume. 84 (7), 1046-1049 (2002).</li><li>Garg, J., Woo, K., Hirsch, J., Bruffey, J. D., Dilley, R. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+complications+of+exposure+for+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion.">Vascular complications of exposure for anterior lumbar interbody fusion.</a> Journal of Vascular Surgery. 51 (4), 946-950 (2010).</li><li>Hrabalek, L., Adamus, M., Gryga, A., Wanek, T., Tucek, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+comparison+of+complication+rate+between+anterior+and+lateral+approaches+to+the+lumbar+spine.">A comparison of complication rate between anterior and lateral approaches to the lumbar spine.</a> Biomedical Papers of the Medical Faculty of the University Palacky. 158 (1), 127-132 (2014).</li><li>Escobar, E., Transfeldt, E., Garvey, T., Ogilvie, J., Schultz, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Video-assisted+versus+open+anterior+lumbar+spine+fusion+surgery.">Video-assisted versus open anterior lumbar spine fusion surgery.</a> Spine. 28 (7), 729-732 (2003).</li><li>Katkhouda, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Is+laparoscopic+approach+to+lumbar+spine+fusion+worthwhile.">Is laparoscopic approach to lumbar spine fusion worthwhile.</a> American Journal of Surgery. 178 (6), 458-461 (1999).</li><li>Comer, G. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Retrograde+ejaculation+after+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion+with+and+without+bone+morphogenetic+protein-2+augmentation:+A+10-year+cohort+controlled+study.">Retrograde ejaculation after anterior lumbar interbody fusion with and without bone morphogenetic protein-2 augmentation: A 10-year cohort controlled study.</a> The Spine Journal. 12 (10), 881-890 (2012).</li><li>Mayer, H. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+ALIF+concept.">The ALIF concept.</a> European Spine Journal. 9 (1), S035-S043 (2000).</li><li>Shin, S. H., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microscopic+anterior+foraminal+decompression+combined+with+anterior+lumbar+interbody+fusion.">Microscopic anterior foraminal decompression combined with anterior lumbar interbody fusion.</a> The Spine Journal. 13 (10), 1190-1199 (2013).</li><li>Ikard, R. W. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methods+and+complications+of+anterior+exposure+of+the+thoracic+and+lumbar+spine.">Methods and complications of anterior exposure of the thoracic and lumbar spine.</a> Archives of Surgery. 141 (10), 1025-1034 (2006).</li><li>Derman, P. B., Albert, T. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Interbody+fusion+techniques+in+the+surgical+management+of+degenerative+lumbar+spondylolisthesis.">Interbody fusion techniques in the surgical management of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.</a> Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. 10 (4), 530-538 (2017).</li><li>Dias Pereira Filho, A. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technique+for+exposing+lumbar+discs+in+anterior+approach+using+steinmann+wires:+Arthroplasties+or+arthrodesis.">Technique for exposing lumbar discs in anterior approach using steinmann wires: Arthroplasties or arthrodesis.</a> World Neurosurgery. 148, 189-195 (2021).</li><li>Motov, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Implementation+of+a+three-dimensional+(3D)+robotic+digital+microscope+(AEOS)+in+spinal+procedures.">Implementation of a three-dimensional (3D) robotic digital microscope (AEOS) in spinal procedures.</a> Scientific Reports. 12 (1), 22553 (2022).</li><li>Siller, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+high-definition+3D+exoscope+as+an+alternative+to+the+operating+microscope+in+spinal+microsurgery.">A high-definition 3D exoscope as an alternative to the operating microscope in spinal microsurgery.</a> Journal of Neurosurgery. Spine. 33 (5), 705-714 (2020).</li></ol>

The authors have no conflicts of interest in this research.

Several turns surrounding the peritoneum during Mini-ALIF surgical exposure and decompression of the spinal canal are critical steps in the surgery. Injury to the anterior peritoneum when opening the anterior rectus abdominis sheath and separating the transverse abdominal fascia can easily lead to failure with this approach5. In addition, patients with lumbar spine infections and a history of abdominal surgery can develop intraoperative complications such as adhesions of the peritoneum and soft ti...

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), a fusion procedure that takes an abdominal approach to the anterior lumbar spine, was first described by O&#39;Brien in 19831. With the advantages of less bleeding, less muscle and nerve damage, and the ability to restore lumbar lordosis and reduce the impact on adjacent segmental degeneration better than posterior lumbar interbody fusion, ALIF is now widely used to treat lumbar spondylolisthesis, spinal deformities, lumbar spine infections, and degenerative lumbar disc disease2,3. However, the procedure can also lead to complications such as vascular, nerve, and ureteral injuries; early vascular injuries are especially common, occurring in 10.4% of cases4,5,6,7,8,9.
The use of a microscope during the procedure allows for a clearer operative field, resulting in greater safety in terms of reducing tissue damage, as well as smaller surgical incisions8,10. However, minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion (Mini-ALIF) still requires a high degree of visualization and stability and requires the use of appropriate spreaders. Early framed laparoscopic spreaders, such as the Synframe system&#39;s Activ O spreader or the currently used Miaspas-ALIF spreader (Aesculap), are primarily used for conventional open ALIF surgery11, but their poor microscopic stability, complex installation requirements, and high costs have hampered the use of microscopy in anterior lumbar spine surgery.
In this study, we introduce a new spreader system for microscope-assisted Mini-ALIF that involves opening the operative field and accomplishing nerve decompression under a microscope through a block and retractors fixed to the vertebral body. This study aims to investigate the technical aspects of microscope-assisted anterior decompression fusion and to introduce a spreader system suitable for Mini-ALIF. This system can provide good intraoperative disc exposure, good discrimination of important structures, adequate spreading of the intervertebral space, and the restoration of the necessary intervertebral height, which is very helpful for less experienced surgeons.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Anterior Lumbar Cage Instrument</td>
			<td>LDR Medical</td>
			<td>ROI-A</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cefazolin Sodium for Injection</td>
			<td>Brilliant Pharmaceuticals</td>
			<td>Chinese Drug Approval Number H20217016</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coagulation Forceps</td>
			<td>Zhenjiang Hengsheng Juen Medical Instrument Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>BZN-Q-A-S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coated, Braided Silk</td>
			<td>Suzhou Jiasheng Medical Treatment Products Co.,Ltd.</td>
			<td>2-0(4#)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Endplate Rugine</td>
			<td>LDR Medical</td>
			<td>IGO16R</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope</td>
			<td>Carl Zeiss AG</td>
			<td>S88</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SPSS Statistics for Windows</td>
			<td>IBM Corp</td>
			<td>version 26.0</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Surgical ablation electrodes</td>
			<td>Jiangsu Yibo Leiming Medical Technology Co., Ltd.</td>
			<td>LM-A5</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

clinical application of microscope-assisted minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion

This study aims to investigate the technical aspects of microscope-assisted anterior decompression fusion and to introduce a spreader system suitable for minimally invasive anterior lumbar interbody fusion (Mini-ALIF). This article is a technical description of anterior lumbar spine surgery under a microscope. We retrospectively collected information on patients who underwent microscope-assisted Mini-ALIF surgery at our hospital between July 2020 and August 2022. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare imaging indicators between periods. Forty-two patients were included in the study. The mean volume of intraoperative bleeding was 180 mL, and the mean operative time was 143 min. The mean follow-up time was 18 months. Apart from one case of peritoneal rupture, no other serious complications occurred. The postoperative foramen and disc height were both higher on average than before surgery. The spreader-assisted micro-Mini-ALIF is simple and easy to use. It can provide good intraoperative disc exposure, good discrimination of important structures, adequate spreading of the intervertebral space, and the restoration of the necessary intervertebral height, which is very helpful for less experienced surgeons.

Patients who received Mini-ALIF for lumbar degenerative disease at Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital between July 2020 and August 2022 were enrolled retrospectively, and basic information such as age and gender, as well as medical records and imaging information, were recorded. The inclusion criteria were patients receiving Mini-ALIF for lumbar spinal stenosis, discogenic low back pain, and low-grade (I or II) slippage that had failed to respond to strictly conservative treatment for more than 6 months. ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Clinical Application of Microscope-Assisted Minimally Invasive Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion at JoVE.com

Clinical Application of Microscope-Assisted Minimally Invasive Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

The technique described in this article is well-suited to the Mini-ALIF procedure, allows for excellent exposure and decompression, and facilitates microscope-assisted manipulation.

This study aims to investigate the technical aspects of microscope-assisted anterior decompression fusion and to introduce a spreader system suitable for ...

This technique demonstrates adequate compression of the spinal canal without damaging important structures such as peritoneum, blood vessels, and the With the help of the retractor, the spinal canal can be more clearly exposed and decompressed with the help of a microscope. After administering general anesthesia, position the patient in the supine position. Subsequently fix a Kirschner needle on the lateral side of the abdomen.Use the location of the Kirschner needle under X-ray to locate the surgical lumbar segment. Mark the surgical incision site according to the location of segment. Then make a five centimeter transverse incision in the lateral rectus abdominis muscle next to the lower abdomen.Under a microscope set at a working distance of 535 millimeters, identify and incise the anterior rectus abdominis sheath. Then separate the rectus abdominis muscle bluntly to its outer edge, and use a pulling hook to retract the outer edge of the rectus abdominis toward the midline, revealing the posterior rectus abdominis sheath. Then separate the abdominal transverse fascia and anterior lateral abdominal wall of the peritoneum with gauze balls, and push contralaterally into the retroperitoneal space to reach the anterior aspect of the vertebral space.Then utilize vascular forceps and nerve strippers to separate the iliac arteriovenous vein. Additionally, ligate the median sacral artery with silk thread depending on its occlusion. Separate the prevertebral soft tissue with gauze and vascular forceps.Then explore the sacral vascular space under a microscope. Next, use a spreader to expose the surgical field in all directions. Next, use a retractor that has three attachment holes at different depths, and connect the straight-grip pull rod to the retractor.Have an assistant attach a T-pusher to the opposite side to assist the surgeon and pushing away the soft tissue. Then use a 3.2 millimeter diameter positioning tube to secure the spreader to two adjacent vertebral bodies of the operated segment. Remove the diseased disc, and under the guidance of a microscope, remove the posterior longitudinal ligament.Then decompress the nerve root. Next, perform endoscopic hemostasis and implant a suitable interbody fusion cage. Finally, use appropriate internal fixation according to the diagnosis.This study included 42 patients for mini-ALIF surgery, which included cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis, discogenic back pain, and disc herniation. 30 patients underwent single-segment surgery and 12 underwent double-segment surgery. The mean operative time was 143 minutes, and the mean hospital stay was seven days.Comparison of the heights of the intervertebral discs and the foramina of the operated segments of the patients showed that the heights in each follow-up period were significantly higher than those before the operation, highlighting a good indirect decompression effect. MRI of the lumbar spine of this patient showed a herniated disc at L-5 to S-1, biased toward the left foramen position seven days before the surgery. However, three days after the surgery, the herniated disc disappeared.Microscope-assisted mini ALIF is very suitable for beginner, which can greatly reduce the occurrence of extra damage, but it requires patient and careful operation.

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415 vistas.  Hebei Medical University Third Affiliated Hospital. Esta técnica demuestra una compresión adecuada del canal espinal sin dañar estructuras importantes como el peritoneo, los vasos sanguíneos y el Con la ayuda del retractor, el canal espinal puede exponerse y descomprimirse más claramente con la ayuda de un microscopio. Después de administrar anestesia general, coloque al paciente en decúbito supino. Posteriormente, fije una aguja Kirschner en el lado lateral del abdomen.Utilice la ubicación de la aguja de Kirschner bajo la radio...