Dr. Edward Perry is the first surgeon in Reno and Nevada to perform a multilevel MIS-Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF)
Dr. Edward Perry, a fellowship-trained Reno neurosurgeon at Swift Spine Institute, was the first surgeon in Nevada to perform a multilevel minimally invasive surgery (MIS) Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion (OLIF) for degenerative lumbar spine disease.
The OLIF procedure was performed by Dr. Perry using O-arm stealth guidance technology that minimizes the incision size and allows precise implant placement. Following the OLIF, Dr. Perry completed a necessary posterior fusion using the O-arm in July 2015. Within 8 weeks, Thomas was back to work as a high school football coach and nearing complete pain relief.
In contrast to traditional spine surgery, the OLIF technique (Medtronic®) allows the specially trained surgeon to avoid interrupting the psoas muscle — in turn eliminating related nerve injury within the muscle. Image below demonstrates the lumbar curve correction provided by the OLIF procedure, from a 23 degree curve pre-surgery to a 36 degree curve post-surgery.
“The oblique lateral approach is a powerful tool for sparing muscle tissue. It can quicken the recovery after spine surgery and help patients like Thomas return to activity faster” explains Dr. Perry. “This innovative technology allows complex flatback deformities that are common in degenerative spine disease to be corrected using a minimally invasive approach, leading to improved patient outcomes than experienced with traditional surgical approaches.”
About Flatback syndrome
When the proper curves in the spine that support an economical stance fail, the result is a condition called Flatback syndrome. Degenerative Disc Disease can contribute to the person developing flatback syndrome. Some of the symptoms of Flatback syndrome include having trouble maintaining a proper posture, low back pain and thigh pain.
About Dr. Perry and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Swift Spine Institute
Dr. Perry was among the first to use the Medtronic O-arm® Multidimensional Imaging System at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno. He specializes in all aspects of spine surgery, including minimally invasive spine techniques, adult degenerative conditions, congenital deformities, spine trauma, spine tumors and deformity correction, including anterior, lateral and posterior spinal approaches. Dr. Perry was recognized as a 2015 Vitals Patients’ Choice Award provider. This recognition is given to top performing doctors based on Vitals.com patient reviews & ratings. The spinal neurosurgeons at Swift Spine Institute have been using minimally invasive spine surgery techniques since 2002. The comprehensive center was the first in Reno to perform MIS TLIF and MAS PLIF procedures as well as the first to perform both cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacements.
