Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Achieves Comparable Outcomes in Radiographically Challenging Spondylolisthesis Cases: Radiographic Difficulty Assessed With a Novel Grading System.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) among patients with different radiographic difficult spondylolisthesis.

BACKGROUND

High-grade vertebral slip, collapsed disc, and less mobile segments can complicate segmental parameter restoration in MIS-TLIF. Few studies have examined if MIS-TLIF can achieve comparable outcomes in these challenging cases.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This study included patients who underwent single-level MIS-TLIF for degenerative spondylolisthesis. Radiographic difficulty was defined using a "difficulty point" system: disc height (<5 mm = 1point), angular flexibility at the operated level by preoperative flexion-extension standing x-ray (<5° = 1point), and slippage rate (>25% = 1 point). Patients were categorized into "simple" (0 point), "moderate" (1 point), and "difficult" (2-3 points) cohorts. Outcomes included radiographic parameters (postoperative disc height, segmental lordosis restoration, and slippage reduction), complications, and patient-reported outcomes such as Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) from 2 weeks to 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 208 patients were included, with 52 in the difficult, 89 in the moderate, and 67 in the simple. The difficult cohort showed significantly greater restoration of disc height (161.0% vs . 26.5% vs . 9.3%, P < 0.001), resulting in similar postoperative disc height (8.3 vs . 9.0 vs . 0.1 mm, P = 0.10) and segmental lordosis at the operated level (14.5° vs . 13.0° vs . 12.5°, P = 0.17). Postoperative outcomes indicated a greater improvement trend in ODI in the difficult group compared with the moderate group (β = 7.3, 9 = 0.011), with similar minimal clinically important difference achievement rate in ODI at 1-year postoperatively (difficult, 69.2% vs . moderate, 62.8% vs . simple, 54.3%, P = 0.46).

CONCLUSION

MIS-TLIF is a feasible treatment option in patients with technically challenging radiographic parameters, achieving comparable postoperative radiographic and clinical outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.