Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF):

The disc is approached from the front of the spine in the neck. The disc is removed and a piece of bone is usually placed in the disc space. Some surgeons will also use a metal plate to help hold the vertebrae and bone graft in place.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF):

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. The procedure is called an “interbody fusion” because it is performed between the “bodies” of the vertebral bones and across the diseased disc space. This procedure is typically performed on both sides of the spine.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF):

Removal of the degenerative disc by going through the lower abdomen. Bone graft material or a metal device filled with bone is then placed into the disc space.

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF):

Removal of the posterior bone of the spinal canal, retraction of the nerves, and removal of the disc material from within the disc space, followed by insertion of bone graft and sometimes hardware in order to fuse the bones. Similar to a PLIF, but frequently performed from only one side.

Posterolateral Fusion:

Placing bone on the back and side of the spine to achieve a fusion.

360 Interbody Fusion:

In an Interbody Spine Fusion, the bone graft is placed in between the vertebral bodies where the disc lies. The disc is removed and the endplates cleaned prior to placement of the graft which will allow the fusion to occur from one vertebral body to the other via the endplates. Utilizing the anterior and posterior approach, theoretically, affords the highest chances for a fusion.

Complications Associated with Spinal Fusion:

Complications associated with spinal fusion are included, but are not limited to the following: death, heart attack, stroke, quadriplegia, ventilator dependence, loss of bowel and bladder function, nerve root injuries, spinal fluid leak, spinal cord stroke, need for lumbar drain, instrumentation failure, allergy or misplacement, failure to fuse, need for another surgery, infection, need for blood transfusion with the inherent risks of HIV, hepatitis, blindness, medical complications such as pulmonary embolism, systemic infection, bone growth at harvest site complications, pain, scar formation, failure to improve, etc.