ALPA Approach or XLIF?

[Roblin]

Great information! Who is the most experienced surgeon in the States and the world at removing ProDisc L4/5 with this method?
Roblin

[mmglobal]

Roblin,

I may very well be wrong about this, but my impression is that we'd be talking about numbers that could be counted on a finger or two.

I believe that if you are talking a 2-level revision, it would be a moot point. They can't do L5-S1 with a lateral approach. The XLIF approach includes an osteomoty to remove the bone on one side of the keel. That may be easier to do with anterior approach, eliminating the need for lateral approach. Another advantage of already being there for anterior approach is that it may be possible to safely expose L4-5 enough so that the prosthesis may be removed without osteotomy.

Obviously, this comes with all the "I'm not a doctor" disclaimers... this is just my 'laypersons' understanding based on my experiences.

Mark