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

Medical Encyclopedia

Spinal fusion - series: Procedure: Posterolateral gutter fusion

Spinal fusion - series
Illustrations:

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: 12/12/2008

Updated by: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (5/12/2008).

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