When a patient with severe lung disease needed spine surgery, traditional options carried serious risks. Given the patient’s condition, a standard procedure using general anesthesia and a breathing tube could have led to serious complications.
At HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center, an innovative approach made surgery possible. Using spinal anesthesia and sedation without intubation, the care team performed an L4-L5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), a major surgery that fuses two vertebrae of the lower back to stop painful movement. It was the first time this technique had been used for a spine fusion at the facility.
Known as an “awake” procedure, the patient remained conscious and alert under sedation — but also comfortable and pain-free — avoiding many of the side effects often associated with general anesthesia and intubation. Recovery began quickly, with clearer cognition and earlier movement in the hours following surgery.
Delivering that outcome meant careful coordination across the surgical team. “This is a complicated procedure that requires excellent teamwork,” said Rory Murphy, MD, an affiliated member of the HonorHealth Medical Staff and neurosurgeon at the HonorHealth Bob Bové Neuroscience Institute. “There is constant communication between the surgeon, anesthesia team and operating room staff to make sure the patient stays comfortable and everything runs smoothly.”
From managing sedation levels to maintaining precise surgical technique and monitoring nerve function, the approach depends on real-time collaboration and shared awareness.
This procedure opens the door to treatment options that may not have been possible before. It also reflects HonorHealth’s growing ability to tailor complex procedures to individual needs, helping more patients safely move forward with treatment and recovery.