ABSTRACT
Lumbar fusion has become a commonly accepted method of treating a variety of disorders that require spinal stabilization to decrease pain from degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic, and infectious origins. The mini-open approach for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) should be considered for most nonobese patients in whom access to the anterior column is necessary. The most common diagnosis which brings surgeons to consider a mini-open ALIF is degenerative disc disease. Sagittal alignment should be specifically considered when planning a mini-open ALIF. In the setting of high-grade spondylolisthesis, for example, the angle of the disc space may preclude access via a mini-open incision or in some cases, via any anterior approach. The skin should be shaved low into the pubic area to expose the pubic symphysis. The skin incision is placed transversely, approximately one-third of the distance between the symphysis and the umbilicus.
