Location & Map Book an Appointment

  • Treating Chronic Back PainMinimally Invasive Spine Surgery

    Minimally invasive spine surgery is the latest advanced technology available to perform spinal surgeries through small, less than one inch long, incisions. It involves the use of special surgical instruments, devices and advanced imaging techniques to visualize and perform the surgery through such small incisions. Read More

  • Relieve Nerve & Spinal Cord CompressionAnterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion

    Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion is an operative procedure to relieve compression or pressure on nerve roots and/or the spinal cord due to a herniated disc or bone spur in the neck. Read More

  • Focus on life againLumbar Decompression

    Lumbar decompression is a surgical procedure performed to relieve pressure over the compressed nerves in the lower spine (lumbar region). It is usually indicated in patients with herniated lumbar disc, spinal stenosis, spinal injury or spinal tumours, who have not found adequate pain relief with conservative treatment. Read More

Home // Spinal Treatments // Lumbar Corpectomy & Fusion

Lumbar Corpectomy & Fusion

Anterior Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion

Anterior Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion is a surgical technique performed to remove the vertebral bone or disc material between the vertebrae to alleviate pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves (decompression) in the lumbar (lower back) region.

The term corpectomy originates from the Latin word "corpus" which means "body" and the word "ectomy" means "removal". Spinal fusion is essential for spinal stability after the removal of vertebral bone and disc material to relieve the compression over the neural structure.

Indications

Anterior lumbar corpectomy and fusion is recommended when non-surgical treatment options fail to reduce the symptoms.

Nerve compression in the lower back usually leads to back pain, numbness or weakness extending into the hips, buttocks and legs.

Common causes of spinal nerve compression are:

  • Degenerative spinal conditions such as herniated discs
  • Spinal fractures
  • Tumours
  • Infection

Before recommending surgery, the surgeon considers various factors such as age, condition to be treated, health, lifestyle, and the activity level of the patient.

Surgical procedure

For the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision in the side of the abdomen and retracts the soft tissues such as muscles to gain visibility to the spine. A portion of vertebral body and intervertebral disc is removed to access the involved neural structure. The source of compression is removed, and the compressed nerves released. During the fusion of two adjacent vertebrae, bone graft or bone graft substitute is inserted between the vertebrae at the decompression site to promote healing and to preserve the normal disc height. Implant material such as rods, plates and screws are fixed to the treated vertebra (e) to deliver additional support and stability during the fusion and healing process. After the procedure, the surgeon realigns the soft tissues and closes the incision.

Recovery

Following a Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion, you may observe an immediate improvement of some or all symptoms or sometimes a gradual improvement of the symptoms ..

The duration of hospitalization depends on the treatment rendered. At the end of the first day of the surgery you are allowed to move and walk around the hospital. Returning back to your daily life or to work depends on how well you are healing and the type of work or activity level.

Follow your spinal surgeon"s instructions regarding the proper recovery program and instructions to augment the healing process for a successful recovery.

Risks or complications

The complications of the surgery include infection, nerve damage, blood clots or blood loss or bowel and bladder problems and any problem associated with anaesthesia. The underlying risk of spinal fusion surgery is failure of fusion of vertebral bone and bone graft which usually requires an additional surgery.

Talk to your spine surgeon if you have any concerns or queries regarding Anterior Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion.

Memberships

  • General Medical Council
  • Royal College of Surgeons
  • British Medical Association
  • British Orthopaedic Association
  • British Association of Spinal Surgeons
  • Aospine
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Euro Spine
  • North American Spine Society
×