Posterolateral Gutter Spine Fusion

Most spine surgeons work through the same incision to obtain the bone graft and to perform the spinal fusion.

Posterolateral gutter spine fusion.

This type of spine fusion is called a posterolateral fusion. This will allow the bone to heal from the transverse process of one vertebra to the transverse process of the next vertebra. The damaged intervertebral disk remains in place. In a posterolateral gutter fusion the surgical approach to the spine is from the back through a midline incision that is approximately three inches to six inches long.

In posterolateral gutter fusion surgery the doctor places an implant at the posterolateral portion of the spine. This area is located along the very outer edges of the spinal structure. This surgical approach involves placing bone graft in the posterolateral portion of the spine area just outside the spine. As the harvested bone graft grows and adheres to the transverse processes such as between l4 and l5 lumbar segment 4 and lumbar segment 5 the spinal fusion is achieved and motion at that segment is stopped.

In spinal fusion surgery the doctor implants either a device or bone material to help re stabilize the spine. A fusion will setup within three months and will continue to get stronger for one to two years. The surgery involves placing a bone graft in the posterolateral portion of the back of the spine. First bone graft is obtained from the pelvis the iliac crest although some form of bone graft substitute may also be used.

Posterolateral gutter fusion surgery is the gold standard surgical approach to achieve spinal fusion. The posterolateral gutter fusion is considered by many surgeons as the tried and true method of spinal fusion. The back muscles hold the graft in place until it fuses with the vertebrae. The device is often a type of cage that mimics the build of a damaged disc.

In a posterolateral gutter fusion procedure the spine is approached from the back. Posterolateral gutter spine fusion surgery description. The graft to form the bony bridge can be placed between the transverse processes in the back of the spine. In a posterolateral lumbar spinal fusion the surgeon approaches the spine from the back and uses bone graft to fuse the painful area of the spine.

After a posterolateral gutter spine fusion the body engages in a natural process to repair itself which usually means growing bone. First bone graftis obtained from the pelvis the iliac crest although some form of bone graft substitute may also be used. Posterolateral lumbar fusion orthoinfo aaos from the american academy of orthopaedic surgeons. In a posterolateral gutter fusion the surgical approach to the spine is from the back through a midline incision that is approximately three inches to six inches long.