The difference between posterior versus lateral lumbar fusion techniques and minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in terms of clinical and surgical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically review the literature about the difference between posterior and lateral lumbar fusion techniques in terms of clinical and surgical parameters. Secondly, a meta-analysis was conducted to compare minimally invasive and open lumbar fusion for the same parameters.

There is insufficient evidence to conclude that lateral fusion is superior to posterior fusion or vice versa because of the few studies with a high level of evidence included in this review. When MIS is compared with OPEN-TLIF, VAS back pain improved significantly at two years postoperative. There was also found a significant difference for intraoperative blood loss and length of hospital stay in favor of the MIS group.