Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
Uniportal Full Endoscopic Posterolateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Published on: June 6, 2025
Radiologic and Clinical Evaluation of Posterolateral Versus Transforaminal Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar
James McDonald1, Fares Al-Jahdali2, Jennifer Urquhart3
1Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedics, Memorial University of Newfoundland, NL.
Study Design:
Retrospective cohort study.
Objective:
The primary objective is to compare foraminal height (FH) and disk height (DH) differences in posterolateral (PLF) and transforaminal interbody fusions (TLIFs) and secondarily correlate these measurements with patient-reported outcomes.
Background:
The impact FH has on patient outcomes in degenerative lumbar spinal fusion surgery is unknown. Postoperative FH change and how it relates to patient-reported outcomes in posteriorly based procedures has not been well evaluated.
Methods:
A retrospective review of a subset of patients from a prospective cohort from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network was undertaken. Radiographic assessment preoperatively, at 3 months and 1 year, with standing lumbar spine radiographs were completed. FH and DH were recorded at each time interval, differences between groups were compared, and correlations with patient-reported outcomes were assessed.
Results:
One hundred nine patients were included (23 PLF and 86 TLIF). At 3-month follow-up, the change in FH was greater in the TLIF group (mean difference =2.3; 95% CI: 0.8-3.5, P =0.002). The change in FH remained significantly different at 12 months (mean difference=1.6, 95% CI: 0.2, 3.0 mm, P =0.028). The change in DH was greater in the TLIF group, with a mean difference between groups of 4.1 mm (95% CI: 2.5, 5.7, P <0.001) and 3.6 mm (95% CI: 2.0, 5.3, P <0.001). A positive change in FH correlated with less back pain, less disability, and improved physical function in the TLIF group ( P <0.05).
Conclusions:
Patients treated with PLF lost FH over time. An increased difference in FH at 1 year was associated with improved function and less back pain in the TLIF group.
