Medtronic announced the launch of a pioneering approach to minimally invasive spinal fusion at the 26th annual meeting of the North American Spine Society (Chicago, USA, 2−5 November 2011).
The Mast Midlf procedure uses a proprietary retractor and cortical bone screw fixation in conjunction with Medtronic’s comprehensive surgical platform of interbody, navigation, neuromonitoring and biologic options. Referred to as a midline laminectomy approach, it is unique in that it enables a minimally invasive spinal fusion surgery, accessing the spine in the middle lower back, and eliminates the need for surgeons to work through a tubular retractor.
“This surgical strategy enables a highly efficient, minimally invasive lumbar fusion, while allowing visualisation of familiar posterior landmarks,” said Richard Hynes, spine surgeon, The BACK Center in Melbourne, Florida, USA. “A midline approach offers surgeons a number of benefits in addressing the challenges associated with decompression as well as sacral fixation in the lumbar or lower spine.”
The Mast Midlf procedure may also be used with Medtronic’s surgical navigation and imaging systems. This allows for decreased exposure to radiation for hospital staff and physicians, with improved accuracy of device placement to avoid injury to nerves.
