European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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Meta Analysis
Minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a meta-analysis based on the current evidence.
This is a meta-analysis of randomized and non-randomized studies comparing the clinical and radiological efficacy of minimally invasive (MI) and conventional open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (open-TLIF) for degenerative lumbar diseases. ⋯ Based on the available evidence, MI-TLIF for degenerative lumbar diseases might lead to better patient-based outcomes. MI-TLIF would be a promising procedure, but extra efforts are needed to reduce its intraoperative radiation exposure. More randomized controlled trials are needed to compare these two surgical options.