XLIF Procedure Minimally Disruptive Procedure for Spine Surgery

Description: A minimally disruptive procedure for spine surgery that provides relief from back and/or leg pain will be performed live over the Internet from Tampa General Hospital on May 14, 2008 at 4 p.m. ET.

The procedure, called XLIF® (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion), involves a lateral, or side, approach to the patient, rather than from the back or front. This approach provides direct access to the disc space, allowing for complete disc removal and implant insertion.

An estimated 10 million adults suffer from chronic back and leg pain, which often limits their activities. It is estimated that more than one million patients undergo spine surgery each year in the U.S. Until recently, adults with back or leg pain have undergone traditional, or ‘open', spine surgery, requiring large incisions, significant recovery time and a delay in return to normal activity.