My Spine - Lumbar
A
Image used with permission from Medtronic
Figure 22.1
This drawing demonstrates the approach for a lumbar disc arthroplasty. This
is a drawing of a patient's stomach (abdomen). ote the ring-like retractor
that has been placed on the abdomen to keep the wound open. The structure
that can be seen in the depth is the intervertebral disc (A) between two verte-
brae. In this case the specialist operated through the abdominal sac (peri-
toneum) that houses the abdominal organs. In other cases the specialist dis-
places the peritoneum which contains the abdominal organs to one side and
then reaches the spine without penetrating into the cavity (peritoneal cavity).
Your specialist then has to displace the major vessels (aorta, iliac artery,
vena cava and iliac vein) away from the disc space. Furthermore, the tubes
that carry the urine might be in the way and have to be displaced. The sym-
pathetic nervous system that regulates the lymph flow in the legs as well as
erection and ejaculation in males and vaginal lubrication in females, can also
be violated in the procedure. Your specialist should have appropriate train-
ing in performing this approach before embarking on this procedure.
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