“…Although decompressive lumbar laminectomy is a relatively straightforward spinal operation, there exists a steep learning curve associated with microscopeassisted tubular spinal surgery [68] , which could be one important factor accounting for the differences in operative times between the two techniques. With the growing popu larity of minimally invasive approaches and the growing number of younger surgeons performing minimally 1001 WJO|www.wjgnet.com [43] 2011 TLIF LSS, herniation, spondylolisthesis 41 38 Shunwu et al [44] 2010 TLIF Degenerative lumbar disease 32 30 Wang et al [45] 2011 TLIF Failed discectomy and decompression 25 27 Cohort studies Wong et al [46] 2014 TLIF FBSS, DDD, spondylolisthesis 144 54 Zhang et al [47] 2013 TLIF DDD 82 76 Villavicencio et al [48] 2010 TLIF LSS, DDD ± herniation, spondylolisthesis 76 63 Lee et al [49] 2012 TLIF LSS, DDD, herniation, spondylolisthesis 72 72 Terman et al [50] 2014 TLIF DDD, LSS, spondylolisthesis, herniation 53 21 Cheng et al [51] 2013 TLIF Spondylosis/listhesis, foraminal stenosis 50 25 Liang et al [52] 2011 TLIF Degenerative lumbar instability 45 42 Yang et al [53] 2013 TLIF Lumbar degenerative diseases 43 104 Gu et al [54] 2014 TLIF Degenerative conditions 43 38 Wang et al [55] 2010 TLIF Spondylolisthesis 42 43 Zairi et al [56] 2013…”