Plan the approach
Prior operations, medical history, anatomy, and available imaging are reviewed before surgery to help determine the safest practical route.
Spinal access · General surgery · Robotics
A clear path to the spine.
South Texas Access Surgeons works alongside your spine surgeon to provide the surgical exposure needed for anterior lumbar procedures—bringing coordinated planning and broad abdominal surgical experience to every case.
The access surgeon's role
Two specialties. One operative plan.
Anterior lumbar surgery reaches the spine through the abdomen. The access surgeon creates and maintains that pathway while protecting the abdominal organs, ureter, and major blood vessels so the spine surgeon can perform the spinal procedure.
Create the exposure
The abdominal wall and retroperitoneal structures are carefully mobilized to create a protected corridor to the lumbar spine.
Close and recover
After the spine work is complete, the access surgeon reassesses the operative field and closes the approach incision.
Practice focus
Specialized access. Broad surgical capability.
Anterior lumbar spinal access
Co-surgeon exposure for anterior lumbar interbody fusion and related anterior lumbar procedures, coordinated with the treating spine surgeon.
General and robotic surgery
Evaluation and operative care grounded in broad general surgical experience, with the specific treatment plan determined after clinical assessment.
Referrals & scheduling
Designed to work with your spine-care team.
Most spinal access referrals begin with the spine surgeon who recommends an anterior approach. That office coordinates the planned procedure with South Texas Access Surgeons and the hospital.
- Your spine surgeon determines whether an anterior procedure may be appropriate.
- The access-surgery team reviews relevant history and imaging.
- Both surgeons coordinate the operative plan and hospital scheduling.
- The surgeons and hospital coordinate the operative plan, scheduling, and preoperative requirements.