ALIF Spine Surgery Explained — Benefits, Risks & Recovery (Anterior Lumbar Fusion Guide)

If you've been told you might need ALIF (Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion) — or you’re researching what it actually is — this video will explain the full picture in clear, patient-friendly terms.

As a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who has performed hundreds of these operations, I’ll walk you step-by-step through:

✅ When ALIF is actually recommended
✅ What happens during surgery (abdominal/front approach)
✅ The unique benefits vs fusion from the back (T-LIF, PLIF)
✅ Real risks — with data you can actually understand
✅ Non-surgical & motion-preserving alternatives
✅ What recovery really looks like today

My goal is simple: help you make a decision with confidence, not fear.

Chapters
00:00 Intro — Why ALIF is different
00:40 When surgeons recommend ALIF
01:20 How ALIF is performed (front approach)
02:10 Benefits & outcomes
02:45 Real risks explained with data
04:15 Alternatives if you’re not ready
05:30 Recovery timeline & expectations
06:00 Final advice

If this helped you understand your options better, subscribe for more clear, trustworthy spine education — and drop your questions in the comments. I personally read every one.


– Dr. Richard Hurley

References and Further Reading

The Spine Journal (2015) – Anterior lumbar spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of complications.

→ https://www.thespinejournalonline.com...

Comprehensive review of ALIF complications showing vascular injury ~3%, infection ~1%, and retrograde ejaculation ~2–3%.

Journal of Vascular Surgery (2020) – Technical approach, outcomes, and exposure-related complications in anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

→ https://www.jvascsurg.org/article/S07...

Large series of over 1,000 ALIF patients; access-related vascular injury rate about 4–5%, mostly managed safely.

PubMed (2021) – Retrograde ejaculation following anterior lumbar surgery: a systematic review.

→ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34271...

Reviews male fertility risks after ALIF; incidence about 2.3%, with many cases resolving over time.
Neurosurgical Focus (2011) – Complication avoidance and management in anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

→ https://thejns.org/focus/view/journal...

Discusses how surgeons prevent and manage issues like nonunion, hardware failure, and vascular injury.

Journal of Spine Surgery (2023) – Anterior lumbar spine: patient selection and workup.

→ https://jss.amegroups.org/article/vie...

Current overview of patient evaluation and common complications, including pseudarthrosis and visceral injury.

ResearchGate (2023) – Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF): a review of the procedure and associated complications.

→ researchgate.net/publication/374929073_Anterior_lumbar_interbody_fusion_ALIF_a_review_of_the_procedure_and_associated_complications?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Summarizes complication rates and contributing factors across multiple studies.