Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Novel Mini-open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Published on: June 6, 2025
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion--systematic review and meta-analysis
Kevin Phan1, Ganesha K Thayaparan1, Ralph J Mobbs1
1a Department of Neurosurgery , Neuro Spine Clinic, Prince of Wales Private Hospital, New South Wales, Australia and NeuroSpine Surgery Research Group (NSURG) , Sydney , Australia.
Purpose:
To assess the clinical and radiographic outcomes and complications of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF).
Methods:
A systematic literature search was conducted from six electronic databases. The relative risk and weighted mean difference (WMD) were used as statistical summary effect sizes.
Results:
Fusion rates (88.6% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.23) and clinical outcomes were comparable between ALIF and TLIF. ALIF was associated with restoration of disk height (WMD, 2.71 mm, P = 0.01), segmental lordosis (WMD, 2.35, P = 0.03), and whole lumbar lordosis (WMD, 6.33, P = 0.03). ALIF was also associated with longer hospitalization (WMD, 1.8 days, P = 0.01), lower dural injury (0.4% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.05) but higher blood vessel injury (2.6% vs. 0%, P = 0.04).
Conclusions:
ALIF and TLIF appear to have similar success and clinical outcomes, with different complication profiles. ALIF may be associated with superior restoration of disk height and lordosis, but requires further validation in future studies.
