Abstract:

Objective　To compare the effects of adopting LUXOR system-assisted minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and  posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for treatment of degenerative lumbar diseases.　Methods　Clinical data about 34 patients with single segment degenerative lumbar disease who underwent MIS-TLIF in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative bedtime were recorded and compared with those of 30 patients with the same disease undergoing conventional open PLIF during the corresponding period. The back pain visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and imaging examination were performed before operation and during follow-up period for each patient. Results　There was no significant difference in the gender, age, clinical diagnosis, lesion location, VAS and ODI scores before operation between the two groups (P>0.05).  The operative time was longer in MIS-TLIF group than in PLIF group(P<0.05), and the intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative bedtime were lower in MIS-TLIF group than in PLIF group (P<0.01). The back pain VAS scores and ODI scores on 3rd and 6th month after surgery in MIS-TLIF group were lower in PLIF group (P<0.01) . Radiological follow-up imaging revealed good fusion 6 months after operation in all the patients.  Conclusion　MIS-TLIF has several advantages over conventional open PLIF, such as less intraoperative blood loss, milder muscle damage, and lighter back pain.

Key words: Spinal diseases, Lumbar vertebrae, Minimally invasive