Less Invasive Spine Surgery For Adult Degenerative Scoliosis Has Positive Outcomes

CHICAGO, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR) spine physician, Frank Phillips, M.D., has completed a landmark study championing the use of XLIF (Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion), a less-invasive surgical procedure for patients with adult degenerative scoliosis (curvature of the spine).  The study was published in Spine journal.

Dr. Phillips is a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery. Working with his team of researchers, they found that the XLIF surgical procedure has similar outcomes when compared to traditional open surgery.  However, scoliosis patients who have XLIF typically have lower complication rates, shorter hospital stays and quicker post-surgical recuperation than traditional open surgery patients.   

During the XLIF procedure, a surgeon makes one or two small incisions from the side of the body to access the disc space.  This procedure creates less muscle damage, compared to the more traditional surgical approaches from the front or back.  With XLIF, the surgeon also uses a technique to split the muscles, as opposed to cutting them, which limits the amount of blood loss and post-operative pain and requires less time in the hospital.  During the minimally-invasive XLIF procedure, the degenerative disc is replaced with a spacer that allows the spine to be straightened and fused. In more severe cases of scoliosis, pedicle screws are used to stabilize the spine.

Dr. Phillips, Co-Director of the MOR Minimally Invasive Spine Institute and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center (RUMC), and his colleagues followed 107 degenerative scoliosis patients who had XLIF surgery for 24 months.  Compared to scoliosis patients who had traditional surgery, there was a lower complication rate for patients who had XLIF and those complications were considered minor. 

Dr. Phillips has offices at RUMC and Prairie Medical Center, Westchester. To make an appointment, call: 855 SPINE 02 (855.774.6302). Videos of Dr. Phillips discussing the XLIF procedure can be viewed here.

About Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush Minimally Invasive Spine Institute

MOR Minimally Invasive Spine Institute surgeons use the most innovative, minimally invasive techniques and leading-edge technologies to decrease the pain and recovery time for complex spine conditions.   A brochure on the Institute can be downloaded here.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the orthopedic program at RUMC as among the top ten programs in the nation.   For more information: www.rushortho.com.

SOURCE Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush