In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Andrew Zhang, and we explore Lumbar Interbody fusion. We discuss indications, relevant anatomy, differences between ALIF, OLIF, XLIF, + much much more.

Dr. Zhang is a board-certified, dual fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. He has a clinical interest in treating complex spinal deformity in adult and pediatric patients, including scoliosis and kyphosis, as well as robotic surgery, minimally invasive techniques, and the latest technology such as endoscopic spine surgery. His patient-centered approach involves empowering patients by educating them on their individual spinal conditions and developing a specific evidence-based treatment plan together with them as if they were his own family members. Dr. Zhang also has a particular interest in teaching residents and medical students and is actively involved in several research studies. He has been published in numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals and textbooks, and he has presented posters and on podiums at several national and international conferences.

Dr. Zhang earned dual undergraduate degrees in biology and economics with highest honors from The George Washington University and obtained his medical degree with distinction in research from the same institution. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Louisiana State University. He then completed an advanced spine fellowship at Brown University, followed by additional spine training at Yale University and the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia and Shreveport. Dr. Zhang completed a second fellowship in advanced adult and pediatric comprehensive spine surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University/Cornell University, training with the world's foremost experts in spine surgery. He served as an Assistant Attending and Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow at Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons as well as a Clinical Instructor of Orthopedic Surgery in Neurological Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College. His higher education culminated in graduating with distinction from the Surgical Leadership Program at Harvard University. Prior to joining Penn Medicine, Dr. Zhang was the Chief of Adult and Pediatric Orthopaedic Spine Surgery, as well as an Assistant Professor and the Associate Program Director to the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

Education and training

Medical School: George Washington University
Residency: Montefiore Medical Center
Residency: Louisiana State University Hospital
Fellowship: Brown University
Fellowship: NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center
Fellowship: Harvard University

Goal of episode: To develop a baseline knowledge of Lumbar Interbody Fusion

In this episode, we cover a wide array of topics including:

Lumbar interbody fusion vs posterolateral fusion
indications for interbody fusion
danger and surgical pearls for ALIF, OLIF, XLIF, PLIF
pertininent lumbar spine surgical anatomy