Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Lumbar Fusion Techniques - Approach Selection

Spinal Surgery

A 52-year-old woman presents with mechanical low back pain and bilateral L4 radiculopathy secondary to Grade 1 degenerative L4/5 spondylolisthesis. Conservative management for 12 months has failed. MRI demonstrates disc degeneration, facet arthropathy, and neural foraminal stenosis. The spine surgeon discusses interbody fusion options. Regarding lumbar fusion techniques:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

TLIF (transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion) is the most commonly performed interbody fusion techni...

B

ALIF (anterior lumbar interbody fusion) provides direct access to the disc space, allows the largest...

C

Lateral interbody fusion (LLIF/XLIF) is ideal for L5-S1 due to excellent access below the iliac cres...

D

The lumbar plexus lies within the psoas muscle and is at significant risk during lateral approaches ...

E

PLIF (posterior lumbar interbody fusion) requires bilateral laminectomy and facetectomy with retract...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option