Lumbar interbody fusion: state-of-the-art technical advances. Invited submission from the Joint Section Meeting on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, March 2004.

During the past few decades, three techniques have been used to achieve circumferential lumbar interbody fusion (LIF). They include posterior LIF, anterior LIF with supplemental posterior fixation, and transforaminal LIF. In this article, the authors describe the indications and contraindications for the use of interbody fusion. The advantages and disadvantages of each will be discussed in detail. Additionally, strategies for minimally invasive access and options for interbody spacer materials will be discussed.