Systems and methods for prone lateral spine surgery

An method for prone lateral spinal surgery on a patient, comprising the steps of:

• (A) obtaining a patient in need of a spinal surgery;
• (B) obtaining an internal fixation-based access system for prone lateral spine surgery comprising a lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) retractor 116 having an LLIF retractor adaptor 118 configured to connect to a surgical table;
• and
• a posterior compressor/distractor 114 operative to contact the spine at the patient's back and the dorsal spine when the patient is prone for the surgery;
• wherein the LLIF retractor is operative to approach the spine from a lateral side approaching simultaneously from the side while the posterior compressor/distractor contacts and/or approaches the spine from the back;
• including
• a posterior distractor rack assembly 120 including a rack 126 having a plurality of ridges 126a on at least one surface thereof;
• a posterior distractor carriage assembly 122 configured to operably engage the posterior distractor rack assembly 120 and including an opening 130 configured to receive the rack 126 therethrough;
• and
• a pinion assembly 124 configured to operably engage the posterior distractor rack assembly 120 and the posterior distractor carriage assembly 122;
• whereby the posterior distractor rack assembly 120 and posterior distractor carriage assembly 122 are movable relative to one another;
• wherein the system is operative for performing prone lateral spine surgery on the patient without the use of a bolster, and the system enables a surgeon to access either the left or the right lateral side of the spine of the patient during the surgery;
• (C) executing the surgery by approaching the patient's spine posteriorly including with placement of a compressor/distractor which is attached to a lateral fusion/lateraly access retractor to approach the spine from either lateral side for implant placement and deformity correction.

An method for spinal surgery on a patient, comprising:

• (A) obtaining a patient in need of a spinal surgery;
• (B) obtaining an internal fixation-based access system for prone lateral spinal surgery on the patient, comprising:
• a lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) retractor 116 having an LLIF retractor adaptor 118 configured to connect to a surgical table;
• a posterior compressor/distractor 114 operative to contact the spine at the patient's back and the back of the spine when the patient is prone for the surgery;
• wherein the LLIF retractor is operative to approach the spine from a lateral side approaching simultaneously from the side while the posterior compressor/distractor contacts and/or approaches the spine from the back;
• an A-arm 104 configured to mount on a surgical table;
• and
• a B-arm 106 configured to engage an end of the table-mounted A-arm 104 and/or LLIF retractor and to engage the posterior compressor/distractor 114;
• one or more cannulated pedicle screws that are each insertable through respective pedicles of the patient's spine;
• a distracting frame 20 configured to operably connect the one or more screws to each other;
• means for mounting the internal fixation system to a surgical table;
• wherein the system is operative for performing prone lateral spine surgery on the patient without the use of a bolster, and the system enables a surgeon to access either the left or the right lateral side of the spine of the patient during the surgery;
• and
• (C) executing the surgery by approaching the patient's spine posteriorly including with placement of a compressor/distractor which is attached to a lateral fusion/lateraly access retractor to approach the spine from either lateral side for implant placement and deformity correction.