Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
Posterior lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) is a ubiquitous tool in modern spinal surgery. It allows direct decompression of nerves as well as achieving instant stability of the spinal column.
Indications
Its indications include decompression of compressed nerves (spinal neurogenic claudication) and treatment of degenerative disease of the spinal column (spondylosis)
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made with history, physical examination and corroborated with focused X-ray and MRI examination.
Non -Operative Treatment
This involves rest, activity modification , pain-killers, physical therapy and occasionally corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injections.
Risks
This include dural injury (fluid sac injury), bleeding, infection, non-union and adjacent segment pathology
Operative Technique
The spinal column is approached via an incision on the back. The nerves are decompressed, the spine stabilised with screws and rods, the diseased disc space excised and replaced with an interbody cage and bone substitute.