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.