MIG-LIF Procedure

The MIG-LIF Procedure

Throughout our site, you’ll notice information about the Legacy Spinous Midline Image Guided Fusion (MIG-LIF) Procedure. It is a minimally invasive surgery created by Legacy’s own Dr. Schlesinger, who wanted to provide the least invasive surgical alternative to his patients.

Dr. Schlesinger’s MIG LIF Procedure is a new minimally invasive surgical technique developed to treat lumbar stenosis/instability, a very advanced form of back and associated leg pain.

This technique utilizes navigation/image guidance and a single midline incision of 15 – 20 mm to achieve direct decompression and instrumentation to relieve this debilitating pain. In comparison, the incision size necessary for a traditional spinal fusion can exceed 75 mm. Dr. Schlesinger’s keyhole access surgery allows for less tissue disruption, which permits single level fusions with low comorbidities to be performed on an outpatient basis.

The surgery is often performed outpatient or with shorter hospital stays allowing for quicker recovery time, lower risk of MRSA infections, and lower costs.

In a retrospective clinical study, 40 patients suffering from degenerative disc disease who tested positive for radicular pain and segmental instability were treated using the MIG LIF Procedure. All 40 patients were successfully discharged the same day of surgery. Hospital stays associated with traditional spinal fusions are, on average, between 3 – 5 days.

Dr. Schlesinger continues to not only perform MIG LIF Procedures here in Little Rock, but has begun teaching this innovative technique to other spine surgeons across the country.