Featured in The Reno Gazette-Journal
By Jessica Garcia, August 14, 2014
Sierra Neurosurgery Group’s Dr. Lali Sekhon recently completed Northern Nevada’s first oblique lumbar interbody fusion procedure, used to help reduce chronic back pain. The procedure initially was created two years ago and is minimally invasive as a surgical technique to help problems with nerves, bones and muscles.
The fusion is preferred to current approaches, such as the eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, because it reduces potential injuries to the psoas muscle on the side of the spine that contains important nerves. It also allows for a quicker recovery time, reduced risk of infection and other complications, and is also an option for older patients who might not withstand more invasive surgeries.
The surgery was performed at Renown Regional Medical Center and took 90 minutes. The patient was discharged less than 24 hours later.
“This patient had chronic back pain for many years and had failed all conservative therapies,” Sekhon said. “She had one bad disc that was not only causing pain but scoliosis as well. The OLIF25 proved to be a great option for her, and I am very happy that we were able to pursue a less invasive option than more traditional surgeries.”