Superior Facet Joint Violations in Single Level Minimally Invasive and Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study demonstrated that the incidence of iatrogenic SFV is greater in MIS-TLIF than in OPEN-TLIF at a single lower lumbar level. MIS-TLIF is effective for lumbar degenerative disease; however, the incidence of iatrogenic SFV was higher. Patient and surgical factors must be considered to protect the facet joints in both TLIF methods to avoid ASD.