Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases and Innovative Techniques (Sep 2020)

The periumbilical incision for anterior lumbar interbody fusions

  • Sherwin Abdoli, MD,
  • Jin Sui, MD,
  • Kenneth Ziegler, MD,
  • Steven Katz, MD,
  • Walter Burnham, MD,
  • Christian Ochoa, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 3
pp. 384 – 387

Abstract

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The traditional retroperitoneal approach for the anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) uses a longitudinal paramedian incision. In this study, we use a discrete periumbilical incision. A 270-degree semicircular incision is made around the umbilicus and the subcutaneous tissue is dissected radially at a 45-degree angle, creating a mound around the umbilical stalk. Once the anterior sheath is encountered, the steps of the operation converge with those of the traditional approach. In this study, 30 patients underwent a periumbilical ALIF with an average of 2.1 levels fused. Perioperative outcomes were comparable to those described in the ALIF literature. No patients experienced complications attributable to the periumbilical incision.

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