What is Laparoscopic Spinal Fusion?
Patients with degenerative spinal disease may require spinal fusion surgery to stabilize the vertebrae and alleviate severe, chronic back pain. Traditionally, spinal fusion was performed as open surgery, and while it has been associated with a low complication rate and pain relief for 90% of patients, many patients experienced back pain and fatigue as a result of muscle loss from the operation. In 1993, Dr. Thomas Zdeblick from the Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Dr. David Mahvi of the Division of General Surgery began developing a minimally invasive way to perform spinal fusion surgery. The procedure, laparoscopic spinal fusion, was performed for the first time in the world in September 1993. Since then, Drs. Mahvi and Zdeblick have become world leaders in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. By using special instrumentation and scopes, laparoscopic spinal fusion requires only a small incision in the back. There are numerous benefits to this approach, the most significant
