Mini-Open ALIF for Degenerative Spine and Adult Deformity: Surgical Technique and the Evidence

With advances in surgical technique and spinal instrumentation, the mini-open anterior approach has become increasingly utilized for lumbar interbody placement. The anterior approach is not only less disruptive regarding muscular dissection, but also provides excellent visualization of the entire disc space and a large bed for fusion. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) provides indirect decompression through restoration of foraminal height and has been found to produce the most potential segmental correction. Although ALIF is associated with some unique complications, it is now routinely used in cases of degenerative and isthmic spondylolisthesis, pseudarthrosis after posterior fusions, adult spinal deformity, and cases of degenerative disc disease.