The consensus of Chinese experts on the application of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion

Abstract

Recently, the percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF) technique has become the most representative minimally invasive technique in spinal surgery. PELIF is widely used in the treatment of various degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine. However, this technique has a long learning curve with adverse consequences for the patient if the surgeon is unsure of the indications and contraindications of this technique. There is currently no expert consensus on PELIF in spinal surgery in China. To standardize the application of this technique in various diseases of the lumbar spine in China, the Chinese Study Group of Minimal Invasive Spinal Surgery, Chinese Association of Spine and Spinal Cord, and Chinese Study Group for Lumbar Spine, Chinese Association of Spine and Spinal Cord, of the Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine have taken the lead in developing this Chinese expert consensus on the application PELIF through a modified Delphi survey study method for the reference of our colleagues. The consensus covers the following aspects of the PELIF: indications and contraindications, advantages and disadvantages, preoperative evaluation, anesthesia methods and surgical procedures, treatment and prevention of complications, and postoperative follow-up.