XLIF® CORPECTOMY
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eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Corpectomy This booklet is designed to inform you about the eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®) Corpectomy surgical procedure. It is not meant to replace any personal conversations that you might wish to have with your physician or other member of your healthcare team. Not all the information here will apply to your individual treatment or its outcome. The information is intended to answer some of your questions and serve as a stimulus for you to ask appropriate questions about the procedure.

eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Corpectomy About the Thoracolumbar Spine The thoracolumbar spine is made up CERVICAL of 17 bones, called vertebrae. Twelve vertebrae make up the thoracic (or chest) spine, and five vertebrae make up the lumbar (lower back) spine. Between each vertebra are discs which provide the cushion necessary for spinal rotation and bending. These are called intervertebral discs. LUMBAR Each disc is comprised of two parts, a tough and fibrous outer layer (annulus fibrosis), and a soft, gelatinous center (nucleus pulposus). These two parts work in conjunction to allow the...

What is causing my pain? There are several common causes of spine problems. The most frequent causes include trauma (e.g., fracture and/or disc herniation), vertebral body tumor, spinal deformity, and spinal infection. What are my treatment options? Many of the symptoms may be treated without surgery with methods that involve medication, rest, heat, and physical therapy. It is important that you speak to your physician about the best options for you. If your symptoms do not improve with other methods, your physician may suggest spinal surgery. Surgery is reserved for those who do not gain...

corpectomy typically involve large exposures. The XLIF® Corpectomy procedure allows surgeons to treat corpectomy patients through a reproducible, minimally disruptive exposure that provides direct visualization to the affected area. Is an XLIF Corpectomy right for me? If you require spinal surgery, your physician may determine that the XLIF Corpectomy procedure is a good option for you. Some examples of pathologies that may be ideal for the XLIF Corpectomy procedure include: body fracture(s) body tumor Conversely, your physician may determine that an XLIF Corpectomy procedure is not a good...

Are there risks involved? Keep in mind that all surgery presents risks and complications that are important to discuss with your physician prior to your surgery. Listening to your physician’s guidance, both before and after surgery, will help to ensure the best possible outcome from your procedure. Some of the most common complications following XLIF ® Corpectomy surgery include: problems with anesthesia, infection, nerve damage, problems with the graft or hardware, and ongoing pain. This is not intended to be a complete list of the possible complications. Before surgery Your physician will...

What happens during surgery? After you are positioned on your side, draped, and sedated, an x-ray is taken of your spine to identify the location of the operative disc space. VERTEBRAL BODY AND DISC REMOVAL Your surgeon will make a small Your surgeon will then remove the incision(s) on the lateral (side) portion of the affected vertebral of your body. Dilators, guided bodies and discs. With severe injury, through the incision, will be used it may be necessary to remove large to monitor your nerves and direct portions of the affected anatomy the path to the affected vertebral (including the...

BEFORE DURING AFTER Once the affected vertebral Generally, some method of internal body is removed, the adjacent endplates will be prepped and then stabilization device (internal brace) an expandable vertebral body to help hold everything in place replacement implant will be placed while fusion occurs. This could in the space. The implant will be be some combination of screws expanded to restore the proper and plates that are affixed to height and provide mechanical the adjacent vertebral bodies. support while bone grows between Your surgeon will determine what, the verterbral bodies during...

What can I expect...? After surgery Depending on the surgical procedure, your stay in the hospital could be from one to five days or more, depending on your medical condition. Your physician will discuss with you what is right for your particular case. The day after your surgery, your physician may instruct you to use a brace for a period of time to assist with the spinal fusion process. Supervised by trained medical staff, your physician may ask you to carefully sit, stand, or walk within 24 hours of the surgery. Once you are discharged from the hospital it is important to limit your...

Frequently asked questions CAN I SHOWER AFTER SURGERY? Depending on your surgical incision, you may have showering restrictions. Ask your physician for appropriate instructions. WILL I HAVE A SCAR? Your physician will discuss the incisions that will be made during an XLIF® Corpectomy surgery. Scars of approximately two inches are common. WHEN CAN I DRIVE? For a period of time after your surgery, you may be cautioned about activities such as driving. Your physician will tell you when you may drive again. CAN I TRAVEL? The implants used in the XLIF Corpectomy procedure may activate a metal...

RESOURCES For more information about the XLIF® Corpectomy procedure please visit: www.nuvasive.com If you would like to learn more about patient support and education for chronic back and leg pain sufferers and their loved ones, please visit: www.thebetterwayback.org If you have any questions about the XLIF Corpectomy procedure or spine surgery in general, please call or see your physician, who is the only one qualified to diagnose and treat your spinal condition. This patient information brochure is not a replacement for professional medical advice.

eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion Corpectomy 7475 Lusk Blvd., San Diego, CA 92121 Tel: 800.475.9131 Fax: 800.475.9134 www.nuvasive.com ©2017. NuVasive, Inc. All rights reserved. , NuVasive, Traverse, X-Core, and XLIF are registered trademarks of NuVasive, Inc.