Cleveland, OH - The AxiaLIF(R) system, a less invasive approach to lumbar fusion developed by TranS1(R) , will be broadcast on OR-Live.com today at 3pm. Isador Lieberman , M.D., Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Cleveland Clinic and Director of the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute, will perform the procedure. TranS1(R) has pioneered a new approach to access the lumbar spine. The AxiaLIF(R) system includes surgical instrumentation for creating a reproducible pre-sacral access route to the L5-S1 vertebral bodies. The AxiaLIF(R) system features instrumentation to enable fusion principles, distraction, and stabilization of the anterior lumbar column while mitigating the soft tissue trauma associated with traditional lumbar fusions through open surgical incisions. "Minimally invasive surgery allows patients an additional option for spinal fusion and reduces recovery time compared to the traditional approach, as all minimally invasive procedures do." Dr. Lieberman said. Using AxiaLIF(R), the lumbar spine is accessed through a small incision adjacent to the sacral bone. This atraumatic tissue plane alleviates the need for the surgeon to cut through soft tissue, muscles and ligaments, lessening patient pain and the likelihood of complications. This minimally invasive approach may shorten length of hospital stays and reduce patient recovery time. Forty to 60 percent of adults suffer from chronic back pain in the U.S. every year, and more than 1 million spine surgery procedures are performed annually. Medical costs to treat back pain approach $24 billion per year. (Please attribute information) Dr. Lieberman is a paid consultant, a member of the TranS1(R) board and has financial interest in TranS1(R). Cleveland Clinic does not endorse for - profit companies or products.