MINIMALLY INVASIVE TRANSFORAMINAL LUMBAR INTERBODY FUSION IN DEGENERATIVE LUMBAR SPINE DISEASE

OBJECTIVE To assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MI-TLIF) and to analyze the surgical outcome for degenerative lumbar spine disease. METHODS A multicenter retrospective analysis of 20 patients who underwent a MI-TLIF by image guidance from 1 January 2012 to April 2015. The study included 13 males and 7 females (Mean age 53 year). CT scan of operating area was done to evaluate the pedicle screw, cage placement and fusion at 6 months post operatively. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were recorded pre-operatively and at 6-month followup. RESULTS Eighteen (90%) patients had evidence of fusion at 6 months post operatively with a mean improvement of 34 on the ODI score. Mean length of hospital stay was 4 days. The mean operative time was 170min. One patient developed transient nerve root pain in the postoperative period which was managed conservatively and one patient developed superficial wound infection. There was no case of CSF leak. CONCLUSION MI-TLIF is a safe and effective surgical procedure for management of degenerative lumbar spine disease.