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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique

Three-dimensional Navigation-guided, Prone, Single-position, Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion Technique

Published on: July 15, 2021

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion.

Christian P DiPaola¹, Robert W Molinari

¹Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

|March 5, 2008

Summary

Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers a versatile, all-posterior approach for spinal fusion. While similar clinical outcomes exist between PLIF and TLIF, TLIF may be preferred due to PLIF

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Area of Science:

Spine surgery
Orthopedics
Neurosurgery

Background:

Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) are posterior surgical techniques for spinal fusion.
These methods address conditions like degenerative disc disease, instability, spondylolisthesis, deformity, and pseudarthrosis.
Various bone grafts, cages, and bone morphogenetic proteins can be used to enhance fusion success.

Purpose of the Study:

To compare the efficacy and complication rates of PLIF and TLIF.
To evaluate the suitability of TLIF as an all-posterior interbody fusion technique.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on PLIF and TLIF techniques.
Analysis of reported clinical outcomes and complication rates for both procedures.

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Main Results:

Both PLIF and TLIF demonstrate biomechanically sound principles for interbody fusion.
Clinical outcomes for anterior and posterior fusion techniques are generally comparable.
PLIF is associated with a higher complication rate, including dural tears (5.4%-10%) and neurologic injury (9%-16%).

Conclusions:

TLIF's versatility across the lumbar spine and lower complication rates suggest it may be an advantageous choice for all-posterior interbody fusion.
The choice between PLIF and TLIF should consider patient-specific factors and the surgeon's experience.