Minimally Invasive TILF

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses advanced instrumentation and image guidance to avoid unnecessary tissue damage, resulting in less pain for patients. Fellowship-trained minimally invasive spine surgeon Neil Bhamb, MD, specializes in minimally invasive TLIF and also performs endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgeries, microdiscectomy, and disc replacement. Find out how you could benefit from his expertise by calling either office in Century City or Marina Del Rey, California. You can also request a consultation online, which is fast and easy.

What is minimally invasive TLIF?

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedure, or minimally invasive TLIF, uses a tubular retractor inserted via a muscle-dilating exposure, thereby minimizing the approach-related morbidity.

This procedure is ideal for radicular and refractory mechanical low-back pain associated with spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and recurrent disc herniation.

Minimally invasive TLIF surgery usually takes 1-2 hours when one spinal segment (two vertebrae) is fused. The patient will generally be in the operating room for 1-3 hours.

How does minimally invasive TLIF work?

Your fellowship-trained surgeon Dr. Bhamb makes a small incision through which he fits a tubular retractor. The retractor is a device that creates a channel into the surgery site by pushing muscles away from the spine rather than cutting them to gain access.

Dr. Bhamb then passes specialized instruments through the retractor to perform the surgery. He uses fluoroscopic images created using X-ray technology and an operating microscope to view the surgical site. He uses laser energy to remove tissue in some procedures, particularly microdiscectomy.

What are the advantages of minimally invasive TLIF surgery?

Advantages of minimally invasive spine surgery over traditional open surgery include:

• Reduced blood loss
• Lower levels of postoperative pain
• Less noticeable scars
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster recovery

Dr. Bhamb specializes in minimally invasive TLIF techniques to treat various spinal disorders. He uses microtubes and microscopes to deliver the same TLIF procedure through a small window, often allowing patients to go home the same day.

What types of minimally invasive spine surgery are there?

Dr. Bhamb offers minimally invasive TLIF, among other options, and treats most spine conditions and disorders. He also performs:

Spine fusion

Spine fusion joins two or more vertebrae to stop the movement between these bones, often the source of pain. Fusion surgery can prevent the progression of spinal abnormalities like scoliosis and treat lumbar instability and spinal injuries.

Microdiscectomy

Herniated intervertebral discs are often responsible for back pain. Microdiscectomy is a procedure for removing herniated discs along with the section of bone covering the spinal canal.

Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS)

ESS is a minimally invasive procedure that can help correct spine issues and relieves back pain. It also preserves the normal range of spine mobility post-operatively.

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)

MISS is a type of surgery on the bones of your spine. This type of surgery uses smaller incisions, causing less harm to surrounding muscles and tissues, less pain, and leads to a faster recovery after surgery.

To find out more, call Neil Bhamb, MD, to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.