Minimally Invasive Surgery Overcomes Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis

A patient had long suffered from lower back pain and sciatica, which gradually worsened over time, leading to numbness, weakness, and nerve pain in the legs. Alarmingly, these symptoms began to affect his bladder and bowel functions, initially manifesting as frequent urination and constipation, and later progressing to occasional urinary and fecal incontinence.

 

After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor decided to perform a minimally invasive lumbar spinal neurosurgery under a microscope. This surgery involved Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) at the L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5 levels of the lumbar spine. The primary goal of the surgery was to correct spinal deformities caused by joint dislocation and/or degenerative scoliosis, thereby improving spinal stability and treating lower back pain, in addition to decompressing the compressed spinal nerves.

 

The surgery, lasting 9.5 hours, required meticulous skill and patience. After the surgery, the patient only needed a 24-hour hospital stay before being discharged. Postoperatively, there was a significant reduction in lower back pain and sciatica. The numbness and weakness in the legs also showed notable improvement. Most reassuringly, his bladder and bowel functions gradually returned to normal.