Spine Approaches
A 52-year-old male with L4-L5 degenerative disc disease and Grade I spondylolisthesis is planned for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The vascular surgeon will assist with the exposure. The surgical team reviews the retroperitoneal anterolateral approach anatomy. Regarding the retroperitoneal anterolateral approach to the lumbar spine:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
The retroperitoneal approach accesses the lumbar spine through the interval between the peritoneum a...
The left-sided approach is generally preferred because the aorta and left common iliac artery have a...
The right-sided approach is preferred for all lumbar levels because the vena cava is easier to mobil...
Key structures at risk include the great vessels (aorta, vena cava, iliac vessels), the ureter, the ...
The aortic bifurcation typically occurs at L4, and the venous confluence (IVC formation) at L5; for ...
Answer the questions to see explanations
Click T (True) or F (False) for each option