Complications of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

Abstract

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF) is a popular surgical technique for treating lumbar spinal disorders. While it offers advantages over traditional open surgery, it is not without complications. The prevention, early detection, and proper management of complications are crucial in achieving successful outcomes with MI-TLIF. Patient selection, surgical technique, and postoperative monitoring play key roles. Advances in imaging, tools, and implant design contribute to reducing complications. Surgeons should be aware of the potential complications associated with MI-TLIF and take appropriate measures. Understanding and addressing these complications will lead to better patient outcomes and long-term success. Meticulous surgical technique, proper patient selection, preoperative planning, and intraoperative monitoring can help mitigate these complications.

Expandable cages that expand both height and lordosis provide improved immediate effect on sagittal alignment and short-term clinical outcomes following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF)

“…Despite the use of expandable cages in MIS TLIF, studies have shown that while disc height can be effectively increased, there is still limited improvement observed in postoperative sagittal alignment including segmental and lumbar lordosis. Moreover, it has been observed that patients who had preoperative lordotic segment often experience a kyphotic change after undergoing MIS TLIF ( 11 - 13 ). Therefore, different designs of expandable cages were developed to address this problem ( 14 ).…”