Insight Retractor and Tube Systems
Michael Gabi, Roger Härtl, Nicholas Theodore, Rudolf Bertagnoli
Traditional open posterior lumbar spine procedures require extensive soft-tissue dissection and can result in significant blood loss and long patient recovery times.
Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) techniques in spine surgery have been improved in the last decade with the goals of reduced approach related morbidity, blood loss, and scarring as well as improved recovery times and shorter hospital stays.
The insight retractor and tube systems are versatile in blade configuration and the selection of blades and tubes provide direct minimal access to the operative level. The blades and tubes are radiolucent allowing for visualization of bony anatomy and disc space. The light clips available in both systems illuminate the surgical field.
The tube system includes a series of 35 access tubes with diameters ranging from 16-28 mm and length ranging from 30-90 mm. It can be used for a wide range of surgeries, including micro-discectomies and TLIF procedures, such as OPAL and T-PAL. Both systems also work together with MIS support system to provide stability and the dilation system for initial atraumatic access to the operative site. Insight retractor designs feature a wide variety of cranial/caudal and lateral blade types together with a Hudson connector for connection with MIS support flex arm and color-coded dilators.
A 45-year-old woman who had failed nonoperative treatment underwent a minimally invasive decompression, facetectomy, discectomy, and interbody fusion via a right-sided approach through a 22 mm insight retractor. Subsequent instrumentation was performed through an ipsilateral miniopen and contralateral percutaneous approach (not shown).
Case provided by Roger Hrtl, New York, New York, USA
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