Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion ( 2 level TLIF) spine surgery in India

Know More About Procedure & Surgery

What is Transforaminal Interbody Lumbar Fusion (TLIF)?

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a surgical procedure that involves decompressing nerves in the lumbar spine and inserting metal screws and rods to fuse the spine. In a TLIF, the surgeon accesses the lumbar spine through an incision(s) in the back. The nerves are decompressed by removing nearly all the disc and the facet joints (In a decompression alone, only part of the disc is removed and the facet joints remain intact). The patient’s own bone and cadaver bone are then placed around a plastic cage between the vertebral bodies in place of the disc. Screws and rods are inserted to stabilize the spine and allow the bones to fuse both in the front and back of the spine. Terming the procedure a “fusion” is a little bit of a misnomer because the bones do not immediately fuse during or after the procedure. Fusion, or growth of the bones together, does not actually occur for 6 to 12 months following the procedure.

Q. Who needs TLIF Surgery?

TLIF can be performed for serval spinal conditions degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, or spondylolisthesis, pain in the lower back . These conditions may cause spinal cord or nerve root compression, spinal instability, and weakness. The TLIF procedure is performed to decompress (remove the pressure from) the spinal cord and/or nerves, re-stabilize the spine, and prevent further movement and degeneration at the joints in question.

Q.  diagnose the cause of his symptoms?

Your Doctor may recommendated :

• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• computed axial tomography (CAT) scan.

Q. What is the Success Rates of  TLIF  Surgery ?

Studies indicate that after TLIF  surgery approximately 90% to 95% patients are satisfied with the surgical result , although 5% of patients may develop implant failure , neurological deficit or recurrence of the symptoms. Smoking is strictly prohibited.

Q. How long does it take to recover from Tlif surgery?
after 4-6 week from the surgeyr , it is possible for you to return to work depending on what type of work and if it can be light duty desk work. It may take 6 months to a year for your back to get better completely

Q. Will I have any long-term limitations due to a TLIF?
The fusion portion of the TLIF is intended to prevent movement at a joint in the spine. Therefore, you will probably feel stiffness at the level of the TLIF. A fusion of two vertebrae will produce a smaller amount of stiffness; a longer fusion will produce a correspondingly longer section of stiffness.

Q. What do i need to do before Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(TLIF) SURGERY?

1. Before the surgery patient advised to stop smoking, and you should not smoke for at least 12 months after.
2. In order to prevent unwanted bleeding during or after surgery, Patient stop taking medications that can thin your blood such as aspirin at least 2 weeks before your surgery, tell your doctor if you have an allergy to any medications, food, or latex (some surgical gloves are made of latex).
3. Stop eating and drinking the night before surgery. It is standard to stop all food and drink the midnight before your surgery, even if your surgery is not first thing in the morning. You may also be asked to stop certain medications as well. If you are allowed to take some of your medications, you may take them with small sips of water. Definitely no coffee or juices the morning of surgery.
4. On the day of surgery, remove any nail polish or acrylic nails, do not wear makeup and remove all jewelry. If staying overnight, bring items that may be needed, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and dentures..

Q. What are the  Risks and Complications in  TLIF Back Surgery

1) Blood loss. Blood loss is usually very small. But as with any surgery, there is

the potential for major or even life-threatening blood loss.

2) Infection. Even with antibiotics and careful technique, there is still a small risk of

developing infection. This could require antibiotics or even further surgery to

resolve. Infections may result in residual pain or neurologic deficits including

weakness, sensory changes or bowel/bladder incontinence. Unfortunately this

could become permanent.

3) Reaction to anesthesia. Anytime you are given medications you can

experience an adverse reaction. Even if given medications you have tolerated in

the past, you can develop new reactions.

4) Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leak. Your nerves sit in a sac, which contains your

nerves and spinal fluid. During surgery the sac may accidentally be punctured or

opened. When Dr. Smith observes this he will attempt to fix it during surgery. However

the fluid may still leak or Dr. Smith may not see it leaking. This may lead to

headaches after surgery. At the surgery site a bump under your skin may occur

or the fluid may even leak out of the incision. This could lead to infection or other

problems requiring further surgery.

5) Damage to the spinal cord or nerves. The surgery is performed around your

nerves. In the process of decompressing your nerves, injury to the nerves can

occur including pain, weakness, sensory changes or bowel/bladder incontinence.

Unfortunately this could become permanent. It may require additional surgery to

improve.

6) Pseudoarthrosis or hardware failure. After surgery the screws and rods could

break or loosen in the bone. This may prevent the bones from fusing, or growing

together. This is called pseudoarthrosis. Not everyone has symptoms if they do

not fuse, but some do including recurrence of pain or neurologic deficits.

Sometimes additional procedures are required to help the bones fuse.

7) Loss of range of motion. You will lose some range of motion.

8) Hematoma. There is always bleeding during surgery and unfortunately a small

amount of blood can collect and press into the nerves. This sometimes requires

further surgery to decompress.

9) Adjacent level disease. The surgery involves inserting rods and screws and

attempting to make the bones fuse together. This may result in other spinal

levels degenerating faster and need for additional surgery.

10)Failure to relieve symptoms. Dr. Smith will do everything possible to give you

the best results with the surgery. However, surgery may not relieve all or any of

your symptoms.

11)Reoperation. As listed above, there are numerous scenarios which may require

additional surgery in the future. Whether for reasons listed above or reasons not

listed, undergoing surgery now does not preclude you from potentially needing

surgery in the future.

12)Death. As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of death. This is rare.

Q. What happens after the surgery?

• Patients usually have to stay for 3 to 5 days in the hospital after TLIF surgery. For the first few days, intravenous narcotic medication is given to control pain. Blood counts are checked to determine whether a blood transfusion is needed.
• On the first day after surgery, the patient begins a walking program with the help of a physical therapist. The physical therapist will help the patient learn how to get in and out of bed. The doctor may also suggest a walker and a back brace for walking.
• The surgical drain is usually removed within two days of the surgery. When the patients are allowed to go home, they are given a prescription for oral narcotic painkillers.

Q. Who are The Top Spine Surgeon in India ?

 Success Rates for TLIF Back SurgeryTLIF spinal fusion operation is a salvage procedure. For patients with disabling back pain and leg pain significant benefits can be obtained with a successful spinal fusion. Studies indicate that the patient's pain is improved 60% to 70% after TLIF spinal fusion surgery and approximately 80% of patients undergoing TLIF spinal fusion surgery are satisfied with the surgical result.

Potential Risks and Complications for TLIF Back Surgery

The benefits of TLIF spinal surgery must be weighed against potential complications from the operation. Potential risks and complications include:

• Anesthesia
• Infection
• Blood loss
• Nerve injury
• Possible re-operation
• Lack of a solid fusion
• Continued pain or (rarely) increased pain

If you have any related query, you can send us your report on below mention email address or you can call us or whatsApp for any second opinion.

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E-mail address- query@satyughealthcare.com
Phone number- +91888-242-4372, +91991-065-5125