Extreme or direct lateral interbody fusion is a new surgical approach that allows spinal access from the side, as opposed to standard posterior or anterior intervertebral approaches. With this technique, it is possible to reach all the intervertebral levels up to the mid-thoracic disc levels, except for the L5–S1 disc space. This technique not only provides anterior fusion, but also indirect neural decompression and sagittal and coronal restoration of the vertebral column. When compared with standard anterior and posterior approaches, this technique has the advantages of less surgical trauma, and a better and faster healing process.
Keywords: Spine surgery, direct lateral approach, fusion, XLIF, DLIF.