{"id":"a0e13486-5b30-4420-96fd-4865da389f0d","slug":"perioperative-safety-and-alignment-outcomes-in-minimally-invasive-versus-open-transforaminal-lumbar-interbody-fusion-a-retrospective-cohort-study","title":"Perioperative safety and alignment outcomes in minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: A retrospective cohort study","authors":["Schahin Salmanian","Jay I. Kumar","Srujan Kopparapu","Dana Saleh","Diego Tonathiu Soto Rubio","Mark S. Greenberg","Puya Alikhani","Mohsen Rostami"],"abstract":"Background: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is a common procedure for degenerative lumbar disorders. Minimally invasive (MI) techniques were introduced to reduce perioperative morbidity versus open procedures. Here, we compared the perioperative characteristics, radiographic outcomes, and long-term complications for 1-level MI versus open TLIF. Methods: Retrospectively, 62 adults underwent single-level open versus MI TLIF at a tertiary academic (2021– 2024). Clinical, radiographic, and outcome data were collected, along with the evaluation of other variables: operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, adverse events, adjacent segment disease (ASD), and radiographic correction of lordosis. Results: MI TLIF resulted in shorter hospital stays (length of stay [LOS]) (4.1 vs. 7.7 days), reduced estimated blood loss (EBL) (51.5 vs. 185.1 mL), less drain use, but similar fusion and reoperation rates. Open TLIF resulted in more durotomies (18.8% vs. 0%), a higher rate of ASD (50.0% vs. 23.03%), but greater global and segmental lordosis correction. Notably, functional outcome and symptom improvement remained similar between the two groups. Conclusion: Patients undergoing single-level MI TLIF exhibited shorter LOS, reduced EBL, recoveries, and reduced ASD risk, while those undergoing open TLIF exhibited better postoperative global/sagittal alignment correction. Notably, both groups exhibited comparable functional outcomes.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/a0e13486-5b30-4420-96fd-4865da389f0d/featured/hero-1781558292018.png","publishDate":"2025-10-10T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_926_2025","categories":["Spine","Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14001/SNI-16-427.pdf"}