The first ever three-level guided lumbar interbody fusion procedure performed by Morgan Lorio was announced by Alphatec on 4 January 2011. This is the only lateral approach on the market that provides the surgeon the ability to perform a 360-degree correction without repositioning the patient.
The revolutionary guided lumbar interbody fusion technique and ARC portal access system is designed to allow surgeons to perform lateral interbody fusion procedures with the opportunity for less intra-operative blood loss and minimised tissue disruption; while decreasing the recovery time for most patients.
Lorio, an orthopaedic spine surgeon at Neurospine Solutions in Bristol, completed the first three-level procedure using the proprietary ARC portal access system and instrumentation designed specifically for this technique. This system provides lateral access with direct visualisation to the intervertebral disc space while allowing the patient to remain in the prone position.
“The guided lumbar interbody fusion system allowed me to achieve correction in a minimally invasive and timely manner that would not otherwise be possible with any other procedure currently on the market. The differentiated and unique dorso-lateral approach allows you to access both anterior and posterior elements of the spine to allow for a true 360-degree correction,” stated Lorio.
When augmented with posterior pedicle fixation, the ARC system eliminates the need to reposition the patient intra-operatively, thereby reducing the overall length of the lateral lumbar fusion procedure and potentially reducing operating room costs. The operation was performed on a 62-year old male patient with spinal instability and developmental stenosis associated with adjacent level degeneration.
