LAUSR

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) techniques generally rely on deformity correction to achieve indirect neural decompression. However, indirect neural decompression will not always be sufficient. Thus, a second procedure, such as posterior direct decompression, will be added for full decompression, increasing the surgical morbidity and healthcare costs. We have described a technique of direct anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF. METHODS We report our surgical technique of anterior lumbar neural microscopic decompression with OLIF with patients in the lateral position. We also report the cases of 3 patients treated from March 2018 to June 2018. RESULTS Three patients underwent anterior microscopic neural decompression combined with OLIF in the lateral position. All 3 patients achieved clinically and radiologically significant neural decompression and deformity correction. No perioperative complications developed. CONCLUSION Direct anterior microscopic neural decompression is feasible and safe in selected patients undergoing OLIF.