Comparison of the mini-open versus laparoscopic approach for anterior lumbar Interbody fusion: A retrospective review

OBJECTIVE: The anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedure has become an accepted fusion technique for treating patients with degenerative disorders of the lumbar spine. Many consider laparoscopic ALIF to be the least invasive approach. A modification of the open laparotomy-the "mini-open" approach-is an attractive alternative. In this retrospective review" a comparison of these two ALIF approaches is presented. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 98 patients who underwent ALIF procedures between 1996 and 2001 in which either a mini-open or a laparoscopic approach was used. Patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, length of hospitalization, and technique-related complications associated with the use,of these approaches were compared. The subset of patients who underwent, L5-S1 ALIF procedures was analyzed separately. Statistical analysis was conducted with and Student's paired t tests. RESULTS: Between 1996 and. 2001, total of 98 patients underwent ALIF. A, laparoscopic approach was used in 4 of these, patients, and the mini-open technique was used in the other 51 patients. Operative preparation and procedure time were longer with the use of a laparoscopic approach and significantly greater during L5-S1 ALIF procedures (P < 0.05). A marginal but significant increase in length of lstay y as observed after mini-open ALIF procedure's (P < 0.05). The immediate postoperative complication rate was greater after mini-open ALIF procedures, 17.6 versus 4.3% (P < 0.051); however, the rate of retrograde. ejaculation was higher in the laparoscopic group, 45 versus 6% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both the laparoscopic- and mini-open techniques are effective approaches to use when performing ALIF procedures. On the basis of the data obtained in this retrospective review, the laparoscopic approach does not seem to have a definitive advantage over the mini-open exposure, particularly in an L5-S1 ALIF procedure. In our opinion, the mini-open approach possesses a number of theoretical, advantages; however, the individual surgeon's preference ultimately is likely to be the dictating factor.