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Dr. Arvind Kulkarni contribution to Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) in India

by Richelle Mandy Spine and Neuro Surgery Hospital
Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)


Overview and Indications

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a contemporary approach to spinal fusion surgery. It is an operation performed on the lower back to remove an intervertebral disc and join two or more spinal bones (vertebrae) together using screws and a cage.
Specifically, a TLIF involves:

  1. Decompression of the nerves in the lower back
  2. Removal of a facet joint
  3. Removal of the intervertebral disc
  4. Stabilisation of the disc level by inserting screws into the bones above and below (pedicle screws)
  5. Fusing the spine by inserting a cage filled with bone into the disc space (interbody fusion)

Spine surgeon Dr Arvind Kulkarni may endorse surgical procedures in case there is noticeable fatigue, soreness or any time all other treatment options have already been utilized.

  • Impacted cages made of titanium, carbon-fiber reinforced or plain PEEK polymer (Polyetheretheketone).
  • Impacted wedges made of carbon-fiber reinforced PEEK, plain PEEK polymer or cortical allograft.
  • Inserted and rotated wedges made of carbon-fiber reinforced PEEK or plain PEEK polymer.The Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion may be performed to treat the following conditions:

  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Curvature Deformity
  • Foraminal Stenosis
  • Disc Herniation
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spinal Segmental Instability
  • Radiculopathy
COMPARISION OF TLIF WITH OTHER TYPES OF FUSION SURGERY, SUCH AS PLIF

The success rate in the treatment of discogenic back pain is only around 60%. Possible reasons for this significant failure rate include:

  • Selection of the ‘wrong types’ of patients for this surgery
  • The fact that the actual pain-generator, the disc, is not fused
  • significant movement of the disc persists despite a solid fusion at the back of the spine
  • patients suffering from back pain after posterior fusion mostly experience significant improvement following a second operation to fuse the disc space itself

To improve outcomes of lumbar fusion, fusion of the disc has been performed to directly address the most common source of pain. This is known as an interbody fusion, and was originally done via a PLIF approach. More recently, a TLIF approach had become more popular. The goal of both is to achieve a bony union across the disc space

Benefit of Lumbar Interbody Fusion

A posterior lumbar fusion is used for therapeutic purposes. The main reason for the operation is to relieve your back and leg pain (if any) by fusing your spine. Sciatica should also improve by 50 to 80%. The real benefit is the improvement in the quality of life after this procedure.

Guide to Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion by Dr Arvind Kulkarni

Dr Arvind Kulkarni performs PLIF on patients with serious chronic painful back pain problems which tend to arise from an unstable disc or discs, or on patients suffering from spinal deformity or slippage of the bones of the spine/spondylolisthesis.  Dr Arvind Kulkarni is specialized and highly experienced in minimally invasive techniques, so patients experience a quicker recovery time, better surgical outcome, and reduced post-operative risks in comparison to open spine surgeries. his goal is to make sure you feel informed, cared for, and comfortable throughout every step of your care. Dr Arvind Kulkarni has performed extensive clinical research that involves areas that include minimally invasive surgery, clinical outcomes of different surgical procedures, and imaging modalities of the spine. He is also interested in the basic science aspects of bone, disc and nerve tissue regeneration as well as the investigation of alternatives to spinal fusion for the treatment of degenerative disc disease.


Dr Arvind Kulkarni is specialized in the latest surgical techniques and can utilize posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) to alleviate pain associated with several spinal conditions and injuries.


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About Richelle Mandy Advanced     Spine and Neuro Surgery Hospital

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Created on Sep 5th 2017 08:17. Viewed 883 times.

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