IMPROVED METHODS AND INSTRUMENTATION FOR THE SURGICAL CORRECTION OF HUMAN THORACIC AND LUMBAR SPINAL DISEASE FROM THE LATERAL ASPECT OF THE SPINE

摘要

Improved methods and instruments are described for performing spinal surgery, including dissection, intrabody fixation, and spinal rigid fixation from the outside of the spine. Surgical procedures can be performed through very small incisions. In a preferred embodiment the instrument of the invention, which can be inserted all the way into the spine from the lateral position, comprises a guide pin, a biaser, an extended outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, an adjustable drill and an insert driver. The deflector of the present invention is driven into a disc to space and realign adjacent vertebrae away. The instrument of the present invention also functions as an alignment rod for inserting an elongated outer sleeve which is a hollow orthogonal member capable of maintaining the spacing and alignment of two adjacent vertebrae, defining a penetrated space, reducing drill and diameter The spinal insert as well as the next instrument, which may include but is not limited to an inner sleeve, may pass through the pierced space. The remaining surgical procedure, which consists of removing the disc, state and rigid internal stability vertebral material via the insert, can be performed via a closed space in an extended outer sleeve.