Minim Invas Neurosur
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Minim Invas Neurosur · Jun 2007
ReviewBalloon-assisted endoscopic retroperitoneal gasless approach (BERG) for lumbar interbody fusion: is it a valid alternative to the laparoscopic approach?
In the last years the use of interbody fusion devices with an anterior spinal lumbar approach has become a common procedure for the treatment of degenerative disc disease and spinal instability. We analysed our series of a simplified endoscopic approach to the anterior spine and made a review of the retroperitoneal endoscopically assisted approach to the anterior lumbar spine in the international literature. ⋯ The BERG technique is a safe, effective, simplified, less technically demanding alternative approach when performing ALIF procedures, without the morbidity associated with laparoscopic or traditional approaches.