TLIF: Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

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Nowadays, chronic back pain is a common condition that affects many people, and it can be treated with many medical options and one of them is TLIF. TLIF or known as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, this is the surgery procedure for curing back pain, such as, dislocated spine, spinal weakness, vertebrae’s fracture and so on. This article will go into details about the surgical procedure, side effects or risks, and other details that would be beneficial to anyone who read this TLIF article.

What is TLIF

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion or TLIF is a type of surgical procedure that performs spinal fusion surgery in order to create solid bone and stop mobility in the spinal segment.   TLIF will usually get through the intervertebral foramen and reach to the lower spine. This surgery will be recommended as your medical method if you have symptoms, such as chronic back pain and the radiation of back pain along with leg pain.

TLIF Process

TLIF procedure will be performed by a neurosurgeon, surgical assistant, anesthetist and during the process,  these are the steps of TLIF.

1.You will receive anesthesia in which it will put you to sleep and feel unconscious. The antiseptic solution will be applied along with local anesthesia on the area where you will have surgery. During the surgery, you will have to lay down with your face-down during the TLIF operation.

2.Next, the neurosurgeon will access the spine by making an incision at the middle of the lower back over the spine around 2-4 inches (or 6-10 cm.). The incision will be cut vertically and make it as small as possible.

3.After making the incision, the screw will be inserted into the pedicles which is located in the back of the vertebra as supplemental posterior fixation. This medical method will improve the streght and stability of the spinal.

4.Getting to the disc space is the next step of this procedure. the surgeon will use high-speed drill in order to remove the facet joint. This step will allow the surgeon to access the damaged disc and bone graft material with least harm.

5.Next, the serheon will replace the disc with the bone graft. The interbody spacer contained with bone graft will be replace the disc that is removed in the last step.

6.The restoration will begin when the disc is removed and replaced with the interbody spacer. This spapcer will help reestablish the alignment of the spinal to become normal again.

7.After inserting screws,plates are held together to make it stable and to ensure that is is place in the proper spot, the surgeon may perform the surgery along with X-ray.

8.Lastly,  the wound of incision will be stitched. This method also requires extreme attention since if performed improperly, it might result in infection and serious complications.

Post-TLIF Surgery Care

After the TLIF, you may experience some effects and need to follow the following methods of care.

• You may stay at the hospital for few days (mostly 2-4 days) after the TLIF to be closely monitored for any infections or comlication signs.
• Because TLIF is a surgery process with incision involved, it may cause pain around the incision site. The doctor may advise you to take pain medications to relieve pain.
• After 4 hours, you'll be able to drink and eat smaller portions.
• The screws and cage will be checked up with CT scan the following day of the surgery.
• The day of the TLIF, you may do some physical exercise which is walking in which it helps in circulation, blood clots and mobility. This activity can continue after the discharge at least one hour per day.
• The spinal brace is needed after the TLIF. You will have to wear it more than 3 months to help with your recover.
• Carrying heavy things, heavy exercise, sitting for a long time, bending, or twisting your back must be avoid during recuperation.  Light activity is recommended durig the 6th week of the recovery period.
• After 6-8 weeks, you may need to make an appointment for check up your recovery.

TLIF Potential Risks

For TLIF, there are small chance of complications, however they can happen and these are the risks of the TLIF.

• The inefficient of TLIF (it may not improve the symptom or make it worse.)
• Infection after surgery
• The formation of blood clots
• The misalignment of screws and cages
• The leakage of CSF (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Nerve injury
• Chronic back pain
• Adjacent segment disease (ASD) (the disease that may be caused after the spinal fusion)
• Legs paralysis

TLIF Conclusion

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a surgical process in which it helps fusing the vertebrae and improve stability in the affected spinal area. The symptoms such as,  chronic back pain or the numbness from the back to hip and legs, will be advised as a treatment option and if you have these symptom around back area, this surgery is considered as one of effective surgery that will be perform by specialist, such as neurosurgeon or orthpaedic surgeon and so on.