Spinal Surgery and Vascular Exposure (ALIF)

What is an ALIF?

An Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) is when a surgeon approaches the inter vertebral body space from the front and not the back. This carries a significant risk given the number of structures in front of the spine including the aorta, the iliac arteries, the iliac veins and the IVC. These are your main large blood vessels supplying and draining the abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs. 

What are the risks associated with spinal access surgery?

In addition to the specific risks associated with spinal surgery, there are also a number of risks with accessing the spine from the front and it largely is around damage or inadvertent injury to those structures that need to be mobilised. 

The vessels which include the Common Iliac and Internal or External iliac vessels could be damaged, torn, or blocked with manipulation, retraction or mobilising. They often require a vascular surgeon to safely handle them and also fix any injury that may occur safely. Other risks include injury to the ureters, bowel and also some nerves that travel in the area that needs to be exposed.