Surgical access system and method
Disclosed are instruments, implants and methods of accessing the spine from an Anterior to the Psoas (ATP) approach, performing a discectomy through an ATP approach and then placing an intervertebral implant via an ATP approach for spinal fusion.
1. A method of performing a spinal fusion surgical procedure via an Anterior to the Psoas (ATP) approach, the method comprising:
forming a surgical pathway in a patient's tissues to access a disc space through an oblique corridor located between a ventral medial border of a psoas muscle and a left lateral border of an aorta or iliac artery;
performing a discectomy through the surgical pathway; and
placing an intervertebral implant within the disc space through the surgical pathway.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, advancing a portal tube through the surgical pathway down to the disc space.