Lumbar canal stenosis with concurrent instability causes significant pain and functional limitation when narrowing compresses neural structures while segmental movement exacerbates symptoms. Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF) addresses both problems by removing compressive elements, restoring disc height, and stabilising the segment. The procedure involves a posterior approach to decompress neural structures, remove disc material, place an interbody spacer to restore alignment and apply pedicle screws and rods for immediate stability.
Robotic-assisted PLIF begins with prone patient positioning and registration of the robotic system to the patient's anatomy. A detailed 3D map is created, allowing the surgeon to plan the exact extent of decompression and optimal trajectories for pedicle screws. The robotic arm guides the decompression, ensuring complete removal of compressive elements while preserving facet integrity when possible. After adequate neural decompression, the disc material is removed, and endplates are prepared for fusion. The robotic system assists the expert spine surgeon with optimal sizing and placement of the interbody device, ensuring appropriate restoration of disc height and foraminal decompression.
Robotically guided pedicle screws are then placed with exceptional accuracy, which is particularly valuable in patients with degenerative changes or osteoporosis that may obscure traditional anatomical landmarks. This comprehensive approach effectively addresses both the stenosis and instability components with potentially reduced complication rates compared to conventional techniques.
