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Novel Mini-open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Published on: June 6, 2025
578
Comparative Analysis of Paraspinal Muscle Fat Infiltration and Clinical Efficacy Following Single-Level UBD-TLIF
Jiajun Yan1,2, Muhang Tian1,2, Min Wu1,2
1Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Journal of Pain Research
|November 5, 2025
Summary
Uni-Portal Bi-Channel Dual-Media Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (UBD-TLIF) shows comparable outcomes to Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF) but with significantly less paraspinal muscle damage. This leads to enhanced muscle preservation and faster recovery for patients undergoing lumbar fusion.
Area of Science:
- Spinal Surgery
- Orthopedics
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Paraspinal muscles (multifidus, erector spinae) are crucial for lumbar stability and function.
- Minimally invasive surgical techniques aim to reduce muscle damage during spinal fusion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effectiveness of Uni-Portal Bi-Channel Dual-Media Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (UBD-TLIF) against Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF).
- To evaluate the degree of paraspinal muscle damage associated with each surgical approach.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 103 patients undergoing single-level UBD-TLIF or MIS-TLIF (Jan 2020-Dec 2022).
- Outcomes assessed: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), MRI-derived paraspinal muscle fat infiltration, operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay.
Main Results:
- UBD-TLIF demonstrated significantly less paraspinal muscle fat infiltration (multifidus and erector spinae) compared to MIS-TLIF.
- The UBD-TLIF group experienced lower postoperative VAS pain scores, shorter hospital stays, and reduced estimated blood loss.
- Although UBD-TLIF had a longer operative time, it resulted in earlier patient recovery.
Conclusions:
- UBD-TLIF provides comparable clinical outcomes to MIS-TLIF with superior paraspinal muscle preservation.
- This technique facilitates faster postoperative recovery and reduced surgical trauma.
- T2-weighted MRI and ImageJ software are reliable for quantifying muscle fat infiltration.
