Access to the Lumbosacral Spine: A Current View.

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Spinal Anatomy

Background:

• Surgical approaches to the lumbosacral spine have evolved significantly since ancient times.
• Advancements in asepsis and antibiotics in the 20th century accelerated spine surgery development.
• Diverse surgical access routes are now available for lumbosacral pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive overview of current state-of-the-art access routes to the lumbosacral spine.
• To elucidate the various surgical access possibilities for lumbar spine interventions.
• To cover approaches for decompression, fusion, tumor resection, reconstruction, and deformity correction.

Main Methods:

• Review of historical and contemporary surgical literature on lumbosacral spine access.
• Analysis of anatomical considerations for different surgical approaches.
• Discussion of indications and techniques for various access routes.

Main Results:

• Multiple surgical approaches exist for the lumbosacral spine, including posterior, anterior, lateral, and endoscopic.
• Each approach offers distinct advantages depending on the specific pathology and surgical goal.
• Technological advancements continue to refine and expand surgical access options.

Conclusions:

• A variety of surgical access routes are available for lumbosacral spine pathologies.
• The choice of approach depends on the specific clinical indication, surgeon expertise, and patient factors.
• Understanding these diverse approaches is crucial for optimizing surgical outcomes in spinal surgery.