Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion

A new lower back surgery technique called Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (X-LIF) has become a possible surgical alternative for sufferers of painful scoliosis and degenerated spinal disc.

X-LIF involves making a two-inch incision to remove a damaged spinal disc or inserting a rod by punching through the skin to fix scoliosis.

Aside from getting rid of the pain and recovering in a few weeks, the X-LIF has other benefits compared to the traditional open back surgery known as standard lumbar fusion. There is less blood loss, the incision is shorter, the operation is quick and the fusion of the spinal disc is better.

In the standard back surgery, the cut needed is six to 12 inches long. People who undergo such surgery also takes at least six months to one year to recover.