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Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Spondylolisthesis

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Spondylolisthesis

Abstract

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) was first reported in 1906 and is currently an acceptable option for surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis. A careful preoperative evaluation is critical, as most complications are approach related. Both retroperitoneal and transperitoneal approaches are utilized for exposing the lower lumbar levels most commonly associated with spondylolisthesis. A wide variety of options are available for the interbody graft, including autogenous bone grafts and titanium cages, as well as graft adjuncts such as bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2). Both radiographic results and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) studies have established ALIF as a reliable procedure for the treatment of spondylolisthesis. Known complications of ALIF include vascular damage, injury to peritoneal viscera, ileus, and retrograde ejaculation.

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Abbreviations

ALIF:

Anterior lumbar interbody fusion

HRQOL:

Health-related quality of life

PLIF:

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion

RE:

Retrograde ejaculation

rhBMP-2:

Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2

TLIF:

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Johnny Zhao M.D. M.S. for his contribution for the first version of this chapter.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norton Leatherman Spine Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Shivam Upadhyaya & Jeffrey L. Gum

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA

    Grant O. Schmidt & John R. Dimar II

  3. Norton Leatherman Spine Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Grant O. Schmidt & John R. Dimar II

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Center for Spinal Tumors, BJC Institute of Health, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Jacob M. Buchowski

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  1. Shivam Upadhyaya
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Stryker Spine, Brookfield, CT, USA

    Adam L. Wollowick

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, NY, USA

    Vishal Sarwahi

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Upadhyaya, S., Gum, J.L., Schmidt, G.O., Dimar, J.R., Buchowski, J.M. (2023). Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Spondylolisthesis. In: Wollowick, A.L., Sarwahi, V. (eds) Spondylolisthesis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-27253-0_15

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