A Structured Ultrasound-Guided Workflow for Level Identification in Lumbar Spine Surgery

This cadaveric feasibility study establishes a high accuracy of US-guided lumbar level identification. A structured and reproducible workflow for level localization was established, integrating a novel four-step protocol. These findings represent a first step toward a radiation-free alternative for preoperative lumbar level verification in spinal surgery. Further investigations are warranted to validate these results in clinical settings.