Types of Spinal Fusion Surgery – TLIF Vs PLIF

Sickness with severe pain is always inevitable. One such pain is a backache caused by the degenerated discs of the intervertebral column. The spinal column is one of the most important parts of the body, providing the main support, allowing you to stand, upright, bend and twist. The lumbar vertebrae of the spinal column carry most of the weight of your upper body and provide a center of gravity when you move. In the consequential aging or trauma, the intervertebral disc can be damaged or degenerated. Loss of disc height can cause bulging in the discs putting pressure on the nerves exiting the spine leading to severe pain in the back. To eradicate this pain, spinal fusion surgery is recommended.

Spinal Fusion Surgery Types

Spinal fusion surgery refers to several different types of surgeries performed to treat spinal disorders. There are various spinal fusion surgery types but the two most commonly employed techniques are Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF).

• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF): In the TLIF procedure, the surgeon approaches the spine from one side i.e. unilateral access.  The incision is made that line up with the foramen. The surgeon operates on the spine through the incision made going through the foramen. Foramen is present on the sides of the spine, traveling to other parts of the body exiting the spinal cord. This is the reason why the surgery is called transforaminal procedure.
• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF): In the PLIF procedure, the surgeon accesses the spine from the middle of the back. The incision is made on the back that line up with the middle of the vertebrae. This is the basic difference between TLIF and PLIF.

TLIF Vs PLIF

• The TLIF is defined as transforaminal lumbar Interbody fusion and PLIF is termed as posterior lumbar Interbody fusion.
• TLIF approach requires a small incision on the back and can be done as a minimally invasive procedure through a 1-inch portal whereas PLIF approach requires a 4-6” incision in the center of the back to access one or two levels.
• In TLIF Initial supplemental posterior fixation is used to considerably enhance the stability of the motion segment whereas in PLIF initial posterior fixation is used to expand the intervertebral space.
• The traditional TLIF approach requires that the facet joint is removed to access the spine whereas the PLIF approach removes the spinous processes with lamina and facet joints.
• This allows the implant to be delivered without manipulating the spinal cord whereas in PLIF the spinal cord is retracted and the surgeon can access the disc.
• TLIF proves to be more prominent than PLIF as the incision made is small and hence requires less time for recovery as compared to PLIF.

Spine Surgery in India

India is a country where spine treatment options range from conservative care to advanced minimally invasive surgical procedures. Spine surgery in India is performed to alleviate pain, improve the level of function enhancing the quality of life for the patients suffering from spine disorders under the supervision of the best surgeons. These surgeons have brilliant academic credentials that can be trusted along with their years of surgical experience.  Spinal fusion surgery cost in India is very affordable as compared to many other countries around the world and hence, the patient can focus on getting high-quality medical care at an affordable price. Arrive with a stress-free mind in India for spinal fusion surgery.