Abstract Biportal endoscopic spinal surgery has become increasingly popular, and indications have expanded.Among these, biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (BE-TLIF) has yielded good results.Herein, we compared the clinical and radiological outcomes of 155 patients treated with BE-TLIF and open posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for single-level lumbar degenerative diseases.Clinical outcomes included the visual analog scale for the back (VAS-back) and leg (VAS-leg), Anti Theft Harness Oswestry Disability Index, and EuroQol 5-Dimensions.
Radiological parameters and fusion rates were evaluated, and postoperative complications were recorded.In this cohort 68 and 87 patients were treated with BE-TLIF and PLIF, respectively.Both groups showed significant improvements in all clinical parameters compared with baseline, but BE-TLIF exhibited a more significant improvement in VAS-back at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.There were no significant differences in the radiological parameters or fusion rates.
BE-TLIF had a Sump Hose significantly longer operation time, whereas PLIF exhibited a significantly higher estimated blood loss and surgical drainage, but no significant differences in postoperative complications.Compared to PLIF, BE-TLIF showed similarly good clinical and radiologic outcomes, with better results in terms of early postoperative outcomes.Thus, BE-TLIF is a viable alternative to PLIF with less back pain at 1 and 6 months postoperatively.