Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique
Published on: July 15, 2021
L1-L5 anterior lumbar interbody fusion: anatomical and technical considerations: a narrative review
Prashanth J Rao1,2,3,4,5, Andrew J Berg2, Gayani Petersingham2,5
1NeuroSpine Surgery Research Group (NSURG), Prince of Wales Private Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia.
Background And Objective:
In the aging population, degenerative disc and facet joint disease is a common occurrence, and it frequently results in disability. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) surgeries offer effective treatments by stabilising the segment inducing the painful motion, providing indirect decompression of neural elements, restore lordosis and deformity correction. With direct visualization ALIF allows thorough discectomy and endplate preparation, with large surface area implants without the need for direct neural retraction which offers advantages over other techniques. The purpose of this review is to determine the anatomical and technical considerations required for performing ALIF.
Methods:
A review of literature relevant to ALIF surgery was conducted up to October 2025. Surgical technique, anatomical and technical considerations for reconstruction of the anterior column by ALIF at the L1-L5 level was investigated.
Key Content And Findings:
Outlined in this review is indications, surgical anatomy and approach, vascular considerations, complications, potential visceral and sympathetic nerve injuries. Details on avoiding vascular and visceral complications as well as methods of venous and arterial repair are discussed.
Conclusions:
This study comprehensively reviews the available literature for the considerations for ALIF. Recommendations and guidelines for the indications and complications for ALIF is provided to guide clinicians.
