eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
A minimally disruptive surgical approach that may provide relief to patients who cannot tolerate a larger, open back surgery or who have lived with back and leg pain through years of various failed treatments.
Unlike traditional spine surgery approaches, the XLIF procedure does not disrupt sensitive back muscles, bones, or ligaments. Instead, the spine is approached from the side of the patient’s body through two one-inch incisions. This approach provides greater access to the spine, offers better visualization during surgery, results in less tissue disruption, and yields faster patient recovery times than traditional open procedures.
Indications for XLIF®
Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) with Instability
Recurrent Disc Herniation
Post Laminectomy Syndrome
Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
Degenerative Scoliosis
Adjacent Level Syndrome
XLIF® Patient Benefits
Reduced operative time
Traditional procedures can take up to five hours; the XLIF procedure can be successfully completed is as little as one hour, reducing the amount of anesthesia time.
Reduced blood loss and minimal scarring
XLIF allows for less tissue disruption, resulting in reduced blood loss.
Reduced postoperative pain
The XLIF procedure does not disrupt sensitive back muscles, bones, or ligaments. Many patients walk with in 24 hours of surgery.
Reduced hospital stay
After XLIF, patients usuallt require a stay of one to two days in the hospital, compared to several days of immobility and hospitalization typical of traditional open approaches.
Faster return to normal activity
XLIF recovery is typically around six weeks, compared to six months or more with traditional procedures.