Techniques for psoas navigation in lateral lumbar interbody fusion

Abstract

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF) is a minimally-invasive, retroperitoneal surgical technique utilized as an alternative to direct anterior and traditional posterior approaches. LLIF can be performed as a trans-psoas or psoas-sparing approach. The majority of LLIF systems utilize neuromonitoring to minimize nerve root injury. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the methods of neuromonitoring and navigation employed in LLIF, and discuss potential advances on the horizon.