Objective:

To describe the anatomical feature positioned beneath the psoas muscle at the lateral aspect of the lower lumbar, and to create a new location system to identify the risk factors of lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Methods:

Six cadavers were dissected and analyzed. The anatomy and neurovascular distribution beneath the psoas major from L₃ to S₁ was observed and recorded, with particular focus on the L_4/5 disc and below. The psoas major surface was divided homogeneously into four parts, from the anterior border of psoas major to the transverse process. The cranial-to-caudal division was from the lower edge of the psoas muscle attachment on the L₄ vertebrae to the upper part of the S₁ vertebrae, and was divided into five segments. Then a grid system was used to create 20 grids on the psoas major surface, from the anterior border of the muscle to the transverse process and from L₄ to superior S₁ , which was used to determine the anatomical structures’ distribution and relationship beneath the psoas major.

Results:

A cleft was identified beneath the psoas major, from the level of L_4/5 downwards. It was filled with loose connective tissue and neurovascular structures. We termed it the cleft of psoas major (CPM). The sympathetic trunk, ascending lumbar vein, iliolumbar vessels, obturator nerve, femoral nerve and occasionally the great vessels are contained within the CPM, although there is significant interpersonal variation. The grid system on the psoas major surface helped to identify the anatomical structures in CPM. There was a considerably lower frequency of occurrence of neurovascular structures in the grids of I/II at the L_4/5 level where can be considered the “safe zones” for the lateral lumbar interbody fusion. In contrast, the distribution of neurovascular structures at the L₅ S₁ level is dense, where the operation risk is high.

Conclusion:

The CPM exists lateral to the vertebral surface from L₄ and below. Although the occurrence and distribution of neurovascular structures within the CPM is complex and varies greatly, it can provide a potential cavity for visualization during lateral lumbar interbody fusion. Using psoas major as a reference, this novel grid system can be used to identify the risk factors in CPM and thus identify a safe entry point for surgery.