Dr. Lali Sekhon performs first OLIF spine surgery in Northern Nevada
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Mon, 08/11/2014 - 9:43am
Dr. Lali Sekhon, a surgeon with Sierra Neurosurgery Group in Reno, is the first physician in northern Nevada to complete an Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion.
The OLIF25 procedure, created just two years ago, is a minimally-invasive surgical technique used to place an interbody graft into the spinal column while minimizing obstacles presented by nerves, bones and muscles. Dr. Sekhon is a highly skilled neurosurgeon with extensive experience in motion preservation techniques and technologies, artificial discs and minimally-invasive surgery.
The OLIF25 is an excellent treatment for patients with chronic back pain. It is preferred to current lateral approaches, such as the eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF), because there is a reduced incidence of injuring the psoas muscle on the side of the spine that contains important nerves.
The procedure also allows for a quicker recovery time, reduced risk of infection and other complications, and is also an option for older patients who may not withstand longer, more invasive surgeries. The surgery was performed at Renown Regional Medical Center and took 90 minutes. The patient was discharged less than 24 hours later.
"This patient had chronic back pain for many years and had failed all conservative therapies,” remarked Dr. Sekhon about the pioneer procedure. “She had one bad disc that was not only causing pain but scoliosis as well. The OLIF25 proved to be a great option for her and I am very happy that we were able to pursue a less invasive option than more traditional surgeries."
SNG is the region's leader in neurosurgical and spine care. As the largest private practice neurosurgical group on the West Coast, SNG specializes in the gamut of spine care including minimally-invasive procedures such as the OLIF procedure and is dedicated to continuing to bring new technologies to the northern Nevada area.
For more information on Sierra Neurosurgery Group, visit www.sierraneurosurgery.com.
Sierra Neurosurgery Group has offices in Reno, Carson City and multiple locations throughout northern Nevada, as well as in Bishop, Calif. Its 12 physicians have a range of expertise including complex brain and spine care, treatment of brain tumors using Cyberknife, motor mapping, pain management, trauma and peripheral nerve.
Photo: An interbody graft is placed in the spinal column using a technique known as Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion (OLIF25). Dr. Lali Sekhon of Sierra Neurosurgery Group is the first surgeon in northern Nevada to use the technique on a patient.
