The Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) is a surgical procedure that can be conducted through a minimally invasive or a mini-open approach. Generally performed under general anesthesia, the patient is positioned on their side, and a 3-4 centimeter incision is made on the patient’s side. A fusion surgery, such as XLIF, aims to join two or more bones together, focusing on the spine in this case.
Similar to the Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) procedure, XLIF involves using an implant and bone graft to fuse the spinal vertebrae after the disc has been removed. However, in the Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) procedure, there may be additional removal of some or all of the bony facet joint, along with the intervertebral disc.
The Neurosurgical Spine Services Division has been at the forefront of advancing minimally invasive and minimal access spine surgery, moving towards smaller incisions and reduced localized trauma to the perineural tissues to enhance clinical outcomes. The Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF), also known as XLIF™, is a minimally invasive technique where the surgeon approaches the spine from the side. This approach minimizes disruption to muscles, bones, and abdominal organs.
Dr. Darren Lebl, a renowned spine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), specializes in minimally invasive surgery, cervical spine, and motion preserving spine procedures. Patients can book consultations online with top-ranked surgeons, physicians, or specialists in orthopedics, rheumatology, or sports medicine at HSS.
The primary goal of the XLIF procedure is to stabilize and immobilize the joint between two vertebrae, providing pain relief and improving back function. In an interbody fusion, the damaged intervertebral disc is replaced with a specially designed cage, ensuring proper alignment of the spine and restoring appropriate disc height.
Columbia Neurosurgery
UCSD Health
Hospital for Special Surgery
UCSD Health
University of Pittsburgh Neurosurgery
Columbia Neurosurgery
Dr. Darren Lebl at HSS
Hospital for Special Surgery
