Spinal Fusion

What is it?

Spinal fusion is surgery to join two or more vertebrae with the goal of stopping movement between the two bones. It can be achieved through various methods.  Nowdays, instrumentation is always used and the spine can be fused via an approach from the back, front or sides.

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The success rate of this operation for back pain is low and it is usually used as an adjunct to other procedures that free up trapped nerves.

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What happens on the day?

The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and we therefore ask patients to refrain from eating or drinking anything for 6 hours prior to the injection.  Water however is allowed up to 2 hours before admission.  

Upon admission, the patient will be seen by the ward nurse, the anaesthetist and Mr. Lau himself.  Informed consent will be obtained and a mark placed on the back to confirm the correct site of the operation. The patient will be given a general anaesthetic and carefully positioned on their front for the operation.

A specialist mobile x-ray machine (fluoroscopy) is used throughout the procedure.  Screws are inserted in the tunnel of bone that connects the back and front of the spine (pedicle) and these are connected with rods.  Bone-like material (bone graft) is then added to encourage bone growth and fusion.

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Follow up

Patients can mobilise as pain allows immediately after then surgery.  If there is a drain, then it is usually removed at 24 hours.  Patients will typically stay for 1-2 days.  The first follow up appointment is arranged for 6 weeks post operation with physiotherapy input in the intervening period.  Further follow up at 3 and 6 months with x-rays are also required.

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