A Cadaveric Radiographic Analysis on the Effect of Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Cage Placement With Supplementary Internal Fixation on Indirect Spine Decompression

Abstract

The radiographic results reported here using a cadaveric model add validity to the underlying rationale described for the minimally invasive lateral approach technique. Increases in disk height, foraminal and canal areas were not dependent on cage positioning within the disk space. As intraoperative placement of a cage in the central portion of the disk is an easier and safer technique, our results suggest that central placement may be preferable in a clinical setting.