Spinal fusion is the process by which bone grafts harvested from the iliac crest (thick
border of the ilium located on the pelvis) are placed between the intervertebral bodies
after the disk material is removed. This approach is used when there is a need to
reestablish the normal bony relationship between the vertebrae. A total discectomy may be
needed in some cases because lumbar spinal fusion can help prevent recurrent lumbar disk
herniation at a particular level.
While the patient is under general anesthesia (unconscious and
pain-free), an incision is made over the area of the spine that will be treated.
The lower spinal vertebrae are often repaired through an incision directly over the
spine -- this is called the posterior lumbar approach. The upper spinal vertebrae are
often repaired through an incision in the front or side of the neck (anterior cervical
spine). The middle spinal vertebrae are sometimes repaired through an incision made in the
chest and abdomen (anterior thoracic spine).
Any area of the spine can be repaired from the front side or the back, depending on the
disease and surgeon's preferences.
The abnormal or injured vertebrae are repaired and stabilized with bone grafts, metal
rods, or both.
