MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia:Spinal fusion - series: Procedure: Posterolateral gutter fusion

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Spinal fusion - series: Procedure: Posterolateral gutter fusion

Spinal fusion - seriesIllustrations:

Normal anatomy

Indications

Incision

Procedure: Posterolateral gutter fusion

Interbody cage fusion

Pedicle screw

In a posterolateral gutter fusion procedure, the spine is approached from the back. Bone graft is taken from the pelvis and laid out in the posterolateral portion of the spine that is to be fused. The back muscles hold the graft in place until it fuses with the vertebrae. A fusion will setup within three months and will continue to get stronger for one to two years.

Update Date: 9/21/2006

Updated by: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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