Posterolateral gutter fusion

Description

A posterolaeral gutter fusion is a type of lumbar fusion. A lumbar fusion is the locking together (fusing) of multiple spinal vertebrae of the back to help relieve the pressure placed on the nerves from movement of the spine. The surgeon approaches the back from the posterior lateral area of the back and disc material between the vertebrae is removed, and replaces it with a bone graft. Sometimes metal hardware is placed to bridge the vertebrae as well. The bone graft can be taken from the patient's hip (autograft bone) during the spine fusion surgery, harvested from cadaver bone (allograft bone) or manufactured (synthetic bone graft substitute). The surgery is done to relieve the pain and numbness caused by herniated disc, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and arthritis.

Common Complications

Complications include: vertebrae failing to fuse, hardware fracture, bone graft migration, nerve damage or persistent pain. All surgery comes with the risk of infection and blood clots. General anesthesia runs the risk of allergic reactions or breathing problems.