BACKGROUND: This cohort study compared the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF versus Open-TLIF) for lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: From July 2016 to September 2017, we recruited 37 patients suffering from lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. Seventeen patients underwent Mis-TLIF (Mis group) and 20 patients underwent Open-TLIF (Open group). Baseline characteristics were similar between the 2 groups before surgery. We compared postoperative clinical and radiological outcomes between the 2 groups.

RESULTS: Compared to patients in the Open group, patients in the Mis group has significantly less intraoperative hemorrhage, drainage fluid, time to go, and hospital stay after surgery, but had longer operation times (P<0.05). These 2 groups had similar postoperative hemoglobin reduction and drain removal time. In addition, the postoperative back and leg pain and intervertebral height reduction at 3 months after surgery in the Mis group were remarkably lower than those in the Open group. There was no significant difference in postoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI) or intervertebral height change immediately after surgery and at 1 month postoperatively between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Mis-TLIF shows some benefits in lumbar disc herniation compared to Open-TLIF in terms of intraoperative hemorrhage, drainage fluid, time to go, hospital stay after surgery, and postoperative back and leg pain.

Keywords: Cohort Studies, Lumbar disc herniation, Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion